The American Convention on Human Rights was adopted in San Jose, Costa Rica, on November 22, 1969. The convention was an instrument of the Organization of American States, which includes the United States, Central and South American states and territories, Mexico and Canada. In Article 5(2), it declared:
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman, or degrading punishment or treatment. All persons deprived of their liberty shall be treated with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person.