UN issues revised ‘Nelson Mandela Rules’ on treatment of prisoners News
UN issues revised ‘Nelson Mandela Rules’ on treatment of prisoners

The UN issued [press release] the Revised Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners [text, PDF] Wednesday to improve the treatment of prisoners throughout the world. Ivan Šimonović, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, spoke on behalf of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon [official profile], saying, “[h]e notes the critical importance of protecting the human rights of all persons deprived of their liberty as one of the most vulnerable groups of individuals who risk abuse and ill-treatment” Ban acknowledged that the rules, known as the “Nelson Mandela Rules,” are a “great step forward” but can and should continue to be improved and strengthened.

The treatment of prisoners and prisoner rights are disputed and criticized throughout the world. Earlier in October the European Court of Justice ruled [JURIST report] that a convicted murderer could be banned from voting because the ban is proportionate to the offense. In August former Iranian prosecutor Saeed Mortazavi was acquitted of murder charges [JURIST report] relating to the 2009 killing of three prisoners [JURIST report] which he oversaw. The prisoners were detained in 2009 for protesting against former President Mahmous Ahmedinejad’s [BBC profile] disputed re-election – an issue that drew significant global criticism aimed not only at Iran’s government, but also the treatment of those arrested following the election.

THIS DAY @ LAW

US Supreme Court ruled Indians not US citizens

On November 3, 1884, the US Supreme Court ruled in Elk v. Wilkins that John Elk, an American Indian who had tried to vote in a federal election in Omaha, Nebraska, was not a US citizen entitled to the protection of the 14th and 15th Amendments of the US Constitution. Native Americans became eligible for citizenship in 1887 under the Dawes Act, but only in 1924, under the Indian Citizenship Act, were all Native Americans born in the US made citizens.

Last public execution at Tyburn Gallows in London

On November 3, 1783, the last public execution took place at Tyburn Gallows in London, when John Austin was hanged for highway robbery. From the hanging of William Fitz Osburn in 1196 until Austin's execution, Tyburn served as London's primary location for public executions.

Learn more about the trial of John Austin.