Writ of Habeas Corpus
In English speaking democracies, since the thirteenth century signing of the Magna Carta, captives were able to call upon the writ of habeas corpus — literally "you should have the body." This legal procedure required the state to show that there was a meaningful, legal justification for their detention.
Read more about this topic: Extrajudicial Detention
Famous quotes containing the words writ and/or corpus:
“The prison is the state writ small.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)
“By that bedes side ther kneleth a may,
And she wepeth both nyght and day.
And by that beddes side ther stondith a ston,
‘Corpus Christi’wretyn theron.”
—Unknown. Corpus Christi Carol (l. 11–14)