Principles of Medical Ethics, UN General Assembly
Appendix 1
Principles of Medical Ethics relevant to the
role of health personnel, particularly
physicians, in the protection of prisoners
and detainees against torture* and other
cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment
Adopted by United Nations General
Assembly Resolution 37/194 of
18 December 1982
Principle 1
Health personnel, particularly physicians, charged with the
medical care of prisoners and detainees have a duty to
provide them with protection of their physical and mental
health and treatment of disease of the same quality and
standard as is afforded to those who are not imprisoned or
detained.
Principle 2
It is a gross contravention of medical ethics, as well as an
offence under applicable international instruments, for health
personnel, particularly physicians, to engage, actively or
passively, in acts which constitute participation in, complicity
in, incitement to or attempts to commit torture or other cruel,
inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Principle 3
It is a contravention of medical ethics for health personnel,
particularly physicians, to be involved in any professional
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