Nelson Mandela, a remarkable leader and human rights advocate, became a symbol of freedom and the fight against apartheid, embodying an unwavering commitment to equality. His life and work remind us of the importance of resilience and compassion in the face of social injustice.
To honor the legacy of Nelson Mandela, the United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution 70/175 of 17 December 2015, adopted a revised set of United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, known as the Nelson Mandela Rules.
The Nelson Mandela Rules cover a wide range of aspects of the treatment of prisoners, including prisoners' rights, conditions of detention, health care, education, rehabilitation, prevention of torture and ill-treatment, and measures to support social integration after release. These rules are fundamental to international standards for the treatment of prisoners and constitute a key document for the development of national criminal justice laws and practices.
Prisoners are an integral part of our society. There are more than 11.5 million people in prison worldwide. This huge group of people is often forgotten. Almost invariably, prisoners will eventually be released and reintegrated into society. Their rights are human rights that we all share. They face the same problems as us but often lack the means to address them. What happens while a person is imprisoned impacts all of us. Safe, rights-respecting, supportive, and rehabilitative prisons benefit us all.
Supporting the Nelson Mandela Rules helps create safe and humane prisons, which in turn benefits the entire community.
On this special day, it is important to remember that even in the most challenging conditions, a path to peace and justice can be found. We call on all countries and civil society organizations to support and promote the legacy of Nelson Mandela, striving for a more just and humane society.