Solitary confinement and its human rights implications

Summary: During the 19th session of the Human Rights Council, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Penal Reform International (PRI) will be organising a side event on solitary confinement and its human rights implications.

On Tuesday 6 March, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Penal Reform International (PRI) will be hosting a side event on solitary confinement and its human rights implications.

• Date: Tuesday, 6 March 2012
• Time: 11.00 - 13.00
• Venue: Room XXIV, Palais des Nations

Prof. Juan Mendez, Special Rapporteur on Torture, will give an overview of the global practice of solitary confinement, as outlined in his study presented to the General Assembly last year. He will, throughout the side event, share his observations during his work as Special Rapporteur.

Amy Fettig, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), will report on the practice in the United States and Dr. Sharon Shalev from University of Oxford and International Centre for Prison Studies (ICPS) will present her research findings on European practices, including during pre-trial detention.

Thematic expertise will be shared by Dorottya Karsay from the Mental Disability Advocacy Center (MDAC) on persons with disabilities in solitary confinement and by Justice Renate Winter, Appeals Chamber of the Special Court of Sierra Leone, on how juveniles are subjected to such isolation. Andrea Huber, Penal Reform International (PRI), will touch upon death row inmates and lifers and the lack of international safeguards.

Jamil Dakwar from American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) will be moderating the session.

• For further details, view the attached document above.

Further Information

• Visit CRIN's 19th session page