List of international and national legal instruments used to evaluate the treatment and conditions of prisoners: • UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules) The SMRs form the conceptual basis of this study and the foundation of the methodology. This human rights instrument calls upon Member States to uphold the highest values in protecting the human rights of persons deprived of liberty. The rules cover the daily functions of prisons and provide guidelines to ensure that the administration of detention places is in accordance with international human rights standards. Member States are expected to incorporate these principles, which form the benchmark for holding detaining authorities accountable, into domestic legislation and policies. • UN core international human rights instruments This study used the following core UN treaties to assess the state of prisons in Sri Lanka: 1. The Convention of Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. 2. The Convention on the Rights of the Child 3. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 4. The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights • International human rights rules and guidelines 1. United National Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders (The Bangkok Rules) The Bangkok Rules outline the minimum standards to be followed in female detention centres and generally in the criminal justice with the aim to ensure that the specific needs of women in custody are addressed. 2. United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice of 1985 (The Beijing Rules) The Beijing Rules, and the United Nations Rules for the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty of 1990 highlight safeguards to be maintained by Member States to protect the rights of young persons in custody. 23