THE DECLARATION OF TOKYO
World Medical Association, 1975

The Declaration of Tokyo has been, since its adoption in 1975, the most comprehensive statement produced by the medical profession on the question of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment of detainees. It was adopted by the 29th World Medical Assembly, Tokyo, Japan.

The text is as follows :

DECLARATION OF TOKYO
It is the privilege of the medical doctor to practise medicine in the service of humanity, to preserve and restore bodily and mental health without distinction as to persons, to comfort and to ease the suffering of is or her patients. The utmost respect for human life is to be maintained even under threat, and no use made of any medical knowledge contrary to the laws of humanity.

For the purpose of this Declaration, torture is defined as the deliberate, systematic or wanton infliction of physical or mental suffering by one or more persons acting alone or on the orders of any authority, to force another person to yield information, to make a confession, or for any other reason.

1. The doctor shall not countenance, condone or participate in the practice of torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading procedures, whatever the offence of which the victim of such procedures is suspected, accused or guilty, and whatever the victim's beliefs or motives, and in all situations, including armed conflict and civil strife.

2. The doctor shall not provide any premises, instruments, substances or knowledge to facilitate the practice of torture or other forms of cruel, inhuman, degrading treatment to diminish the ability of the victim to resist such treatment.

3. The doctor shall not be present during any procedure during which torture or other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment are used or threatened.

4. A doctor must have complete clinical independence in deciding upon the care of the person for whom he or she is medically responsible. The doctor's fundamental role is to alleviate the distress of his or her fellow men, and no motive whether personal, collective or political shall prevail against this higher purpose.

5. Where a prisoner refuses nourishment and is considered by the doctor as capable of forming an unimpaired and rational judgment concerning the consequences of such a voluntary refusal of nourishment, he or she shall not be fed artificially. The decision as to the capacity of the prisoner to form such a judgment should be confirmed by at least one other independent doctor. The consequences of the refusal of nourishment shall be explained by the doctor to the prisoner.

6. The World Medical Association will support, and should encourage the international community, the national medical associations and fellow doctors, to support the doctor and his or her family in the face of threats or reprisals resulting from a refusal to condone the use of torture or other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

Statement of Support to the Physicians and Health Workers of Zimbabwe
"Hereby the World Medical Association the global representative of physicians urge the medical profession and all other health workers in Zimbabwe to continue providing the highest possible standard of health care to patients regardless of their political affiliation race religion or gender. Torture of any kind is condemned as a major violation of basic human rights and should actively discouraged and stamped out where proven.

The WMA pledges to continue its struggle against torture and the violation of human rights with partners such as the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims and urges the health profession and non-governmental organisations in Zimbabwe to participate in this international drive towards a world intolerant of torture."