Part I: Prohibition of torture: The legal background 3.2. Regional standards Council of Europe The Council of Europe has established a number of instruments related to the prevention of torture and, in addition, a number of recommendations have been adopted by the Committee of Ministers. The most relevant standards include: • the European Prison Rules (revised 2020) - the most important set of European soft-law standards and principles related to prison management, staff and treatment of detainees – and a reference globally. • the European Code of Ethics for Prison Staff (2012) • the European Code for Police Ethics (2001). In addition, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture, developed substantive standards in its annual reports including on police custody, women in prison, juveniles and standards relating to different types of places of deprivation of liberty. European Union The European Union has adopted Guidelines on EU Policy Towards Third Countries on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (revised 2019). In addition, it has adopted a series of Directives for all Member States introducing detention safeguards during criminal proceedings, such as: • Directive (EU) 2012/13 on the right of information in criminal proceedings, 22 May 2012 • Directive (EU) 2013/48 on the right of access to lawyer in criminal proceedings, 22 October 2013 • Directive (EU) 2016/800 on procedural safeguards for children who are suspects or accused persons in criminal proceedings, 11 May 2016. • Directive (EU) 2016/1919 on legal aid for suspects and accused persons in criminal proceedings, 26 October 2016. Organization of American States In March 2008, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights adopted a set of Principles and Best Practices on the Protection of Persons Deprived of Liberty in the Americas. The OAS General Assembly has adopted several resolutions on “Human Rights, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identity and Expression”.60 60 See for example, Resolution AG/RES. 2863 (XLIV-O/14) Human Rights, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identity and Expression, approved at the fourth plenary session, held on June 5, 2014. 37