The United Nations Rules for the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty was adopted by the General Assembly in December of 1990.  This resolution elaborated on the Convention on the Rights of the Child, especially those regarding the deprivation of liberty of any person under the age of 18.

These rules establish the minimum standards accepted by the United Nations for the protection of juveniles deprived of their liberty in all forms, consistent with human rights and fundamental freedoms, and with a view to counteracting the detrimental effects of all types of detention and to fostering integration in society.  Among the minimum standards addressed in the UN Rules are the rights and guarantees of juveniles in detention, the management of detention facilities, the conditions of the environment and accommodations of juveniles at detention facilities, and the grounds upon which juveniles can be detained. The rules state that the deprivation of the liberty of a juvenile should be a disposition of last resort and for the minimum necessary period and should be limited to exceptional cases.

Full text of Rules for the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty