WMA Statement on the United Nations Resolution for a Moratorium on the Use of the Death Penalty
Adopted by the 64th General Assembly, Fortaleza, Brazil, October 2013 and
reaffirmed with minor revisions by the 224th WMA Council, Kigali, Rwanda, October 2023
PREAMBLE
The WMA Resolution on Physician Participation in Capital Punishment states that it is unethical for physicians to take part in capital punishment, and the WMA Declaration of Geneva obliges physicians to maintain the utmost respect for human life.
The WMA acknowledges that the views prevalent in the countries of some of its members prevent all members from unconditionally opposing the death penalty.
The WMA therefore supports the suspension of the use of the death penalty through a global moratorium.
The WMA has long recognized that it cannot hold its constituent members responsible for the actions and policies of their respective governments.
RECOMMENDATION
The World Medical Association supports the United Nations moratorium on the use of the death penalty.