Declaration on the Participation of Health Personnel in the Death Penalty

(Amnesty International, 1981, 1988)

Amnesty International,

Recalling that the spirit of the Hippocratic Oath enjoins doctors to practice for thegood of their patients and never to do harm,

Considering that the Declaration of Tokyo of the World Medical Association provides that "the utmost respect for human life is to be maintained even under threat, and no use made of any medical knowledge contrary to the laws of humanity",

Further considering that the World Medical Association, meeting in Lisbon in 1981, resolved that it is unethical for physicians to participate in capital punishment,

Noting that the United Nations' Principles of Medical Ethics enjoin health personnel, particularly physicians, to refuse to enter into any relationship with a prisoner other than one directed at evaluating, protecting or improving their physical and mental health,

Conscious of the ethical dilemmas posed for health personnel called on to treat or testify about the condition of prisoners facing capital charges or sentenced to death, where actions by such personnel could help save the prisoner's life but could also result in the prisoner's execution,

Mindful that health personnel can be called on to participate in executions by, inter alia:

1.determining mental and physical fitness for execution,
2.preparing, administering, supervising or advising others on any procedure related to execution,
3.making medical examinations during executions, so that an execution can continue if the prisoner is not yet dead,

Declares that the participation of health personnel in executions is a violation of professional ethics;

Calls upon health personnel not to participate in executions;

Further calls upon organizations of health professionals:
1.to protect health personnel who refuse to participate in executions
2.to adopt resolutions to these ends, and
3.to promote worldwide adherence to these standards.

This declaration was formulated by the Medical Advisory Board of Amnesty International in 1981 and revised in 1988 in the light of developments on the issue.