Clearing the Innocent: Guarantees of Personal Honor and Dignity

Abstract

The measures of compulsion used to protect the interests of the state and society significantly constrain the rights of citizens suspected or accused of committing crimes. These constraints are necessary and justified. By its essence, compulsion by the state expresses application of the power to wield authority and in the given case affects the constitutional right of citizens to inviolability of the person. It is very important that such authority be used with adherence to legal and moral norms and with the greatest caution and tact. Toward this end guarantees of legality in the work of the agencies of police investigation, preliminary investigation, the procuracy, and the courts are being constantly strengthened and broadened. Their forms and methods of work are being improved, and the levels of political ideology and professionalism of officials so engaged are being raised. Guidance of criminal investigation has been improved, and criminal liability has been established for handing down a deliberately unjust verdict, making a knowingly illegal arrest or detention, and for the use of compulsion to testify.