7Conclusion
46.Prior to the virus, the human rights of young people who are autistic and/or have learning disabilities in detention were being breached.
47.Now that institutions are closed to the outside world the risk of human rights abuses are even greater. Prohibitions on family visits, the suspension of inspections, the increased use of restraint and solitary confinement, and the vulnerability of those in detention to infection (due to underlying health conditions and the infeasibility of social distancing) mean that the situation is now a severe crisis. There are increased risks of violations to the right to life (Article 2 ECHR), freedom from inhuman and degrading treatment (Article 3 ECHR), liberty and security (Article 5 ECHR), respect for family life (Article 8 ECHR) and non-discrimination (Article 14 ECHR).
48.To put a stop to these human rights abuses we urge the Government to implement in full both the recommendations set out in this report and those in the 2019 report as a matter of urgency.
Published: 12 June 2020