Human Rights Council
Tenth Session
Resolution 10/24.
Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment
or punishment: the role and responsibility of medical
and other health personnel
The Human Rights Council,
Recalling all resolutions on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment and on forensic science adopted by the General Assembly, the Commission on
Human Rights and the Council,
Recalling also the Principles of Medical Ethics relevant to the Role of Health Personnel,
particularly Physicians, in the Protection of Prisoners and Detainees against Torture and Other
Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment,
Reaffirming that no one shall be subjected to torture or to other cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment or punishment,
Recalling that freedom from torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment is a non-derogable right that must be protected under all circumstances, including in
times of international or internal armed conflict or disturbance and state of emergency, and that
the absolute prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment is affirmed in relevant international instruments,
Noting the duty of medical and other health personnel to practice for the good of the
patients and never do harm or injustice pursuant to the Hippocratic oath and their respective
professional codes of ethics,
Recalling that it is a gross contravention of medical ethics for medical and other health
personnel to engage, actively or passively, in acts that constitute participation in, complicity in,
incitement to or attempts to commit torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment pursuant to the Principles of Medical Ethics,
Stressing that medical and other health personnel have a duty to provide competent
medical service in full professional and moral independence, with compassion and respect for
human dignity, and to always bear in mind human life and to act in the patient’s best interest
under their respective professional codes of ethics,
Noting the duty of all medical and other health personnel to report or denounce acts of
torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment of which they are aware to relevant medical,
judicial, national or international authorities as appropriate under and consistent with their
respective professional codes of ethics,