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CHARTER OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES ACT 2006 - SECT 21 Right to liberty and security of person

CHARTER OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES ACT 2006 - SECT 21

Right to liberty and security of person

    (1)     Every person has the right to liberty and security.

    (2)     A person must not be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention.

S. 21(3) amended by No. 20/2022 s. 17(a).

    (3)     A person must not be deprived of that person's liberty except on grounds, and in accordance with procedures, established by law.

S. 21(4) amended by No. 20/2022 s. 17(b).

    (4)     A person who is arrested or detained must be informed at the time of arrest or detention of the reason for the arrest or detention and must be promptly informed about any proceedings to be brought against that person.

    (5)     A person who is arrested or detained on a criminal charge—

        (a)     must be promptly brought before a court; and

        (b)     has the right to be brought to trial without unreasonable delay; and

        (c)     must be released if paragraph (a) or (b) is not complied with.

S. 21(6) amended by Nos 68/2009 s. 97(Sch. item 18.2), 20/2022 s. 17(c).

    (6)     A person awaiting trial must not be automatically detained in custody, but that person's release may be subject to guarantees to attend—

        (a)     for trial; and

        (b)     at any other stage of the judicial proceeding; and

        (c)     if appropriate, for execution of judgment.

S. 21(7) amended by No. 20/2022 s. 17(c).

    (7)     Any person deprived of liberty by arrest or detention is entitled to apply to a court for a declaration or order regarding the lawfulness of that person's detention, and the court must—

        (a)     make a decision without delay; and

        (b)     order the release of the person if it finds that the detention is unlawful.

S. 21(8) amended by No. 20/2022 s. 17(c).

    (8)     A person must not be imprisoned only because of that person's inability to perform a contractual obligation.