Human Rights. International CURE is guided and inspired by the following documents:

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the United Nations (1948)

International Human Rights Covenants and Treaties, which also apply to prisoners:

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

The Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment,

The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women,

The Convention on the Rights of the Child

All of these covenants have the force of law in countries which have signed and ratified them. In addition there are a number of human rights instruments which refer specifically to prisoners. They do not have the force of law but are internationally recognized as carrying great weight.

UN Human Rights Instruments relating to the administration of justice[1]

Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (1957)

Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice (1985)

Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment (1988)

Basic Principles for the Treatment of Prisoners (1990)
Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women (1993)
Principles on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra-Legal, Arbitrary, and Summary Executions (1989)

UN Human Rights Instruments relating to staff working with prisoners

Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials (1979)

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 (1982)

Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials (1990)

African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (1986) [2]

Africa’s Recommendations dealing with prisoners and conditions of detention:[3]
              
              The Kampala (Uganda) Declaration on Prison Conditions in Africa (1996),
                      on International cooperation for the improvement of prison conditions.
              The Kadoma (Zimbabwe)Declaration on Community Service (1997),
                      on the reduction of prison overcrowding and the promotion of alternative sentencing.
              The Arusha Declaration on Good Prison Practice(1999).
              The Lilongwe (Malawi) Declaration on Accessing Legal Aid in the Criminal Justice
                     System in Africa (2004).
              The Kampala Declaration on Prison Health in Africa (1999).
              The Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) Declaration on Accelerating Prison and Penal Reform
                     in Africa (2002).
              The Guidelines and Measures for the Prohibition and Prevention of Torture, Cruel,
                     Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in Africa
                    (The Robben Island Guidelines) (2002).
              The Principles and Guidelines on the Right to Fair Trial and Legal Assistance in Africa

The Organization of American States (OAS) principles dealing with prisoners and conditions of detention [4]

Principles and Best Practices on the Protection of Persons Deprived of Liberty in the Americas (2008)

The Organization of American States (OAS)  declarations and conventions which also apply to prisoners:

The American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man (1948).

The American Convention on Human Rights signed in 1969

The Inter-American Convention to Prevent and Punish Torture (1985)

The Inter-American Convention on Forced Disappearance of Persons (1994)