Protecting Human Rights in Prisons while Preventing Radicalization Leading to Terrorism or Violence: A Guide for Detention Monitors
Author(s):
Preventing and countering violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism (VERLT) is an area of increasing focus at the international, regional and national levels. This also applies to the prison context, due to fears that prisons may represent breeding grounds for VERLT. Such concerns are heightened after terrorist attacks perpetrated by individuals who appear to have radicalized towards violence while imprisoned.
With an increasing focus on preventing and countering radicalization in prisons leading to terrorism or violence, states are adopting measures that often have profound impacts on prisoners’ human rights. Scrutiny by independent monitors is, therefore, pivotal in ensuring that all such measures are based on the rule of law and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. This guide seeks to equip detention monitors with tools and knowledge of the subject relevant to their respective monitoring mandates and methodologies, in order to assist them in focusing on this area.