The right to health and international drug control, compulsory treatment for drug dependence and access to controlled medicines 2010, para. 38
Paragraph
Paragraph text
As examined in a previous report of the Special Rapporteur, informed consent to treatment is a cornerstone of the right to health, the requirements of which would be satisfied on extremely rare occasions in forced administration of punitive treatment. Decisions regarding capacity and competence, and the need to obtain informed consent, must be made on a case-by-case basis. Treatment en masse prima facie fails to meet this requirement. In some countries, it is reported that people who use drugs have been arrested en masse and forced into compulsory treatment centres. This approach leads to forced treatment of individuals based on inadequate, cursory medical examinations - if they are undertaken at all.
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. 38.