Part I Prohibition of torture: The legal background The Committee against Torture, for example, makes reference to the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, when examining steps taken by States parties to implement article 11 of the Convention against Torture, which requires them to keep their detention procedures under review. 3.1. United Nations standards The United Nations has a developed a number of standards related to the prevention of torture, including: • Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners • Basic Principles for the Treatment of Prisoners • Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment • Rules for the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty • Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice (The Beijing Rules) • Principles of Medical Ethics relevant to the Role of Health Personnel, particularly Physicians, in the Protection of Prisoners and Detainees against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment • Model Autopsy Rules • Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials • Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials • Principles on the Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment of Punishment (Istanbul Protocol). 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 in January 2006) • the Declaration on the Police • the European Code for Police Ethics • standards developed by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture. In 2001, the European Union also adopted Guidelines on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. 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. African Union The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights adopted Guidelines and Measures for the Prohibition and Prevention of Torture, Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in Africa (the Robben Island Guidelines). Chapter 2: International and regional instruments on torture and other forms of ill-treatment | 23