Detention (imprisonment) facts for kids
Detention is when a person is held by people in authority, like the police or a government official. This means they are not free to leave. It usually happens when someone is thought to have broken a serious rule or law.
This kind of holding must always be fair and follow the law. If someone is held without a good reason, it's called arbitrary detention. This is against important international rules like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Even when someone is held legally, they must always be treated with kindness and respect. Their dignity must be protected.
Contents
What is Detention?
Detention means that a person's freedom to move around is taken away by a government or its officials. This is often done by the police. It is different from an arrest, which is usually the first step before someone is detained.
Why Does Detention Happen?
People are usually detained because they are suspected of doing something against the law. This is done to investigate what happened or to make sure the person appears in court later. It's a way for the authorities to make sure justice can be carried out.
Fairness and Rights in Detention
Even if someone is detained legally, they still have important rights. These rights are protected by international agreements. For example, the Convention against Torture says that everyone must be treated humanely. This means they should be treated with kindness and respect, and their dignity should always be honored.
Arbitrary Detention
Arbitrary detention means holding someone without a good legal reason. It is like holding someone unfairly. This is not allowed under international human rights laws. These laws protect everyone's right to freedom and safety.
Related pages
Images for kids
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A person held by authorities in Brasília.
See also
In Spanish: Detención para niños
