MONITORING PLACES OF DETENTION : A PRACTICAL GUIDE 63 1. THE FRAMEWORK OF MONITORING Monitoring conditions of detention involves checking that these conditions correspond to national and international human rights standards and that those deprived of their liberty are treated with the respect due to their inherent dignity and value as human beings. The general standards relating to the deprivation of liberty are contained for the most part in the relevant international instruments (see chapter IV) and national legislation. The UN Basic Principles for the Treatment of Prisoners form the most general standard-setting framework for the deprivation of liberty. They are applicable to any person deprived of freedom wherever he or she may be held, and provide a crucial reference for visiting bodies: Basic Principles for the Treatment of Prisoners adopted by the Assembly General of the United Nations in its resolution 45/111 of 14 December 1990 1. All prisoners shall be treated with the respect due to their inherent dignity and value as human beings. 2. There shall be no discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. 3. It is, however, desirable to respect the religious beliefs and cultural precepts of the group to which prisoners belong, whenever local conditions so require. 4. The responsibility of prisons for the custody of prisoners and for the protection of society against crime shall be discharged in keeping with a State’s other social objectives and its fundamental responsibilities for promoting the well-being and development of all members of society.