IRRC No. 857

Human rights and indefinite detention

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International human rights law abhors a legal black hole. It applies wherever a State exercises its jurisdiction, not only in peacetime but also during armed conflict, as a compliment to humanitarian law. The deprivation of liberty is subject to certain conditions, and even initially lawful detention becomes arbitrary and contrary to law if it is not subject to periodic review.

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Human rights and indefinite detention author: Alfred de Zayas

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Casting light on the legal black hole: International law and detentions abroad in the "war on terror" author: Silvia Borelli

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Visits by human rights mechanisms as a means of greater protection for persons deprived of their liberty author: Edouard Delaplace, Matt Pollard

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Protection of detainees: ICRC action behind bars author: Alain Aeschlimann

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The policy context of torture: A social-psychological analysis author: Herbert C. Kelman

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A haunting figure: The hostage through the ages author: Irène Herrmann, Daniel Palmieri

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Study on customary international humanitarian law: A contribution to the understanding and respect for the rule of law in armed conflict author: Jean-Marie Henckaerts

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61st Session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, 16 March 2005 author: Jakob Kellenberger

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Books and articles (Spring 2005) author:

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