The presumption of innocence is one of the most important and ancient rights embodied in criminal justice systems around the world. The right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty is one of that principle that influences the treatment to which an accused person is subjected from the criminal investigations through the trial proceedings, up to and including the end of the final appeal.
The presumption of innocence implies that people who are accused of a criminal act must be treated in accordance with this principle. When the circumstances require to have accused people temporarily deprived of their personal liberty they have to be separated from convicted persons, except for unusual circumstances. This principle is fundamental for the protection of human rights and must guide the prosecution as well as the defense lawyers.