Version 1983
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L’ASSOCIATION MEDICALE MONDIALE. INC LA ASOCIACION MEDICA MUNDIAL. INC
THE WORLD MEDICAL ASSOCIATION,lne.
28, AVENUE DES ALPES· 01210 FERNEY·VOLTAIRE • FRANCE
Telephone 1501 40 75 75
cable address: WOMEDAS, Ferney·Voltalre
November 1983 17.50
Original: French
WORLD MEDICAL ASSOCIATION REGULATIONS
in
TIME OF ARMED CONFLICT
Adopted by the lOth World Medical Assembly,
Havana, Cuba, October 1956,
edited by the 11th World Medical Assembly,
Istanbul, Turkey, October 1957,
and
amended by the 35th World Medical Assembly,
Venice, Italy, October 1983
REGULATIONS IN TIME OF ARMED CONFLICT
1. Medical Ethics in time of armed conflict is identical to
medical ethics in time of peace, as established in the
International Code of Medical Ethics of the World Medical
~s.~c!~~ ~~n…..Xh~ ..nl:ime”‘”E..l””lpJ.!aai;; 09 of …tb~…nh~s. i ~J& ~{!…~~
International Code of Medical Ethics of the World Medical
Association. The primary obligation of the physician is
his professional duty; in performing his professional
duty, the physician’s supreme gUide is his conscience.
• 2. The primary task of the medical profession is to preserve
health and save life. Hence it is deemed unethical for .
physicians to:
A. Give advice or perform prophylactic, diagnostic or
therapeutic procedures that are not justifiable in
the patient’s interest. .
B. Weaken the physical or mental strength of a human
being without therapeutic justification.
c. Employ scientific knowledge to imperil health or
destroy life.
3. Human experimentation i~ time of armed conflict is governed
by the same code as in time of peace; it is strictly forbidden
on all persons deprived of their liberty, especially civilian
and military prisoners and the population of occupied coUntries
4. In emergencies, the physician must always give the required
care impartially and without consideration of sex, race,
nationality, religion, political affiliation or any other
similar criterion. Such medical assi~tance must be continued
for as long as necessary and practicable.
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s. Medical confidentiality must be preserved by the physician
in the practice of his profession.
6. Privileges and facilities afforded the physician must never
be used for other than professional purposes.
RULES GOVERNING THE CARE OF SICK AND WOUNDED, PARTICULARLY IN
TIME OF CONFLICT
A. 1. Under all circumstances, every person, military or
civilian must receive promptly the care he needs
without consideration of sex, race, nationality,
religion, political affiliation or any other similar
criterion.
2. Any procedure detrimental to the health, physical or
mental integrity of a human being is forbidden unless
therapeutically justifiable.
B. 1. In emergencies, physicians and associated medical 4t
personnel are reqUired to render immediate service
to the best of their ability. No distinction shall
be made between patients except those justified by
medical urgency.
2. The members of medical and auxiliary professions must
be granted the protection needed to carry out their
professional activities freely. The assistance necessary
should be given to them in fulfilling their responsibil-
ities. Free passage should be granted whenever their
as.si.atancA;J1$_J:AQ.Ui ~ftd… Th.:llY ..~’l~’ll~ug-,-i&f~-tejponn.o1.t~
ities. Free passage should be granted whenever their
assistance is reqUired. They should be afforded complete
professional independence. . . .
3. The fulfillment of medical duties and responsibilities
shall in no circumstance be considered an offence. The
physician must never be prosecuted forobservJng .
……_,.pro-f’e’ssIonal-‘conf identiality • ..
4. In fulfilling their professional duties, the medical tt
and aUXiliary professions will be identified by the
distinctive emblem of a red serpent and staff on a
white field. The use of this emblem is governed by
special regulation.
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