Vienna 1989
(23.2) - ensure that all individuals in detention or incarceration will be treated with
humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person;
(23.3) - observe the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners as well as the United Nations Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials;
(23.4) - prohibit torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and take effective legislative, administrative, judicial and other measures to prevent and punish such practices;
(23.5) - consider acceding to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, inhuman
or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, if they have not yet done so;
(23.6) - protect individuals from any psychiatric or other medical practices that violate
human rights and fundamental freedoms and take effective measures to prevent and
punish such practices.
(24) With regard to the question of capital punishment, the participating States note
that capital punishment has been abolished in a number of them. In participating States
where capital punishment has not been abolished, sentence of death may be imposed
only for the most serious crimes in accordance with the law in force at the time of the
commission of the crime and not contrary to their international commitments. This
question will be kept under consideration. In this context, the participating States will
co-operate within relevant international organizations.
(25) With the aim of developing mutual understanding and confidence, promoting
friendly and good neighbourly relations, strengthening international peace, security
and justice and improving the implementation of their CSCE commitments, the participating States will further develop co-operation and promote dialogue between them
in all fields and at all levels on the basis of full equality. They agree that full respect
for and application of the principles and the fulfilment of the other CSCE provisions
will improve their relations and advance the development of their co-operation. They
will refrain from any action inconsistent with the provisions of the Final Act and other
CSCE documents and recognize that any such action would impair relations between
them and hinder the development of co-operation among them.
(26) They confirm that governments, institutions, organizations and persons have a relevant and positive role to play in contributing to the achievement of the aims of their
co-operation and to the full realization of the Final Act. To that end they will respect the
right of persons to observe and promote the implementation of CSCE provisions and to
associate with others for this purpose. They will facilitate direct contacts and communication among these persons, organizations and institutions within and between participating States and remove, where they exist, legal and administrative impediments
inconsistent with the CSCE provisions. They will also take effective measures to facilitate access to information on the implementation of CSCE provisions and to facilitate
the free expression of views on these matters.
OSCE Human Dimension Commitments 51
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