The right to health and international drug control, compulsory treatment for drug dependence and access to controlled medicines 2010, para. 32
Paragraph
Paragraph text
The enjoyment of the right to health includes, inter alia, access to health facilities, goods and services that are scientifically and medically appropriate and of good quality and the "right to be free from interference, such as the right to be free from torture, non-consensual medical treatment and experimentation". Moreover, article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights declares that "no one shall be subjected without his free consent to medical or scientific experimentation". States are obliged to respect, protect and fulfil the enjoyment of the right to health, including by refraining from using coercive medical treatments, except in the narrowest possible circumstances for the treatment of mental illness or the prevention and control of communicable diseases. The requirements of informed consent must be observed in administering any treatment for drug dependence - including the right to refuse treatment.
Legal status
Non-negotiated soft law
Body
Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
Document type
Special Procedures' report
Means of adoption
N.A.
Topic(s)
Equality & Inclusion
Health
Person(s) affected
All
Year
2010
Paragraph type
Other
Reference
SR Health, Report to the UNGA (2010), A/65/255, para. 32.