The eleventh article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone charged with a crime has the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. This guarantees that no one will be punished without a fair and transparent trial in which all legal guarantees are respected. In addition, this article ensures that during the trial the accused has all the necessary means to defend himself, thus avoiding abuses and miscarriages of justice. This principle is fundamental to the maintenance of justice and fairness in any legal system and protects people from arbitrariness and injustice.
This article also prohibits the imposition of penalties for acts or omissions which, at the time they were committed, did not constitute a criminal offence under national or international law. This prevents the retroactive application of criminal law, which is essential for legal certainty and the protection of human rights. Overall, Article 11 reinforces the idea of a fair and just legal system in which the presumption of innocence and the non-retroactivity of criminal laws are fundamental pillars for the protection of individual rights.
The plaque with Article 11 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is placed on a monolith in a square in front of the Church of Santa María de Berducedo.
Images courtesy of ISHR
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Parish church of Santa María Berducedo, 16A, 33887 Berducedo, Asturias, Spain
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https://ishrights.org/ - Visiting Hours
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11th article
