Article 17
Right to Liberty
1. No one shall be deprived of his or her liberty except on such grounds and in
accordance with such procedure as are established by law.
2. No person may be subjected to arbitrary arrest, and no person may be detained
without a charge or conviction against him.
Article 18
Prohibition against Inhuman Treatment
1. Everyone has the right to protection against cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment.
2. No one shall be held in slavery or servitude. Trafficking in human beings for
whatever purpose is prohibited.
3. No one shall be required to perform forced or compulsory labour.
4. For the purpose of sub-Article 3 of this Article the phrase "forced or
compulsory labour" shall not include:
a. Any work or service normally required of a person who is under detention
in consequence of a lawful order, or of a person during conditional release
from such detention;
b. In the case of conscientious objectors, any service exacted in lieu of
compulsory military service;
c. Any service exacted in cases of emergency or calamity threatening the life
or well-being of the community;
d. Any economic and social development activity voluntarily performed by a
community within its locality.
Article 19
Right of Persons Arrested
1. Persons arrested have the right to be informed promptly, in a language they
understand, of the reasons for their arrest and of any charge against them.
2. Persons arrested have the right to remain silent. Upon arrest, they have the
right to be informed promptly, in a language they understand, that any
statement they make may be used as evidence against them in court.
3. Persons arrested have the right to be brought before a court within 48 hours of
their arrest. Such time shall not include the time reasonably required for the
journey from the place of arrest to the court. On appearing before a court, they
have the right to be given prompt and specific explanation of the reasons for
their arrest due to the alleged crime committed.
4. All persons have an inalienable right to petition the court to order their
physical release where the arresting police officer or the law enforcer fails to
bring them before a court within the prescribed time and to provide reasons for
their arrest. Where the interest of justice requires, the court may order the
arrested person to remain in custody or, when requested remand him for a time
strictly required to carry out the necessary investigation. In determining the