DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION CALLS FOR SANCTITY FOR PATIENTS, HEALTH PERSONNEL AND FACILITIES IN ARMED CONFLICTS
Press Release
H/2983
DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION CALLS FOR SANCTITY FOR PATIENTS, HEALTH PERSONNEL AND FACILITIES IN ARMED CONFLICTS
19960111 GENEVA, 10 January (WHO) -- The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Hiroshi Nakajima, has made today the following statement:The recent increase in the number of armed attacks and hostage-taking operations, targeted at patients and health personnel in various parts of the world, is a matter of serious concern particularly for national health authorities and the WHO.
Such hostage-taking causes unimaginable suffering for the sick, those attending to them and their relatives. The WHO cannot remain silent in such situations.
Health facilities and professionals have always played a special role in any society, especially during military conflicts. It is in hospitals, places of worship and schools that the sick and wounded, and women, children and the elderly have always sought help and refuge from the atrocities of war. This special role has been reflected in international treaties and conventions.
A deliberate hostage operation against a hospital is a flagrant violation of international law and human rights, including the rights of the sick to get medical help and protection. Attacking an unprotected hospital full of suffering patients is immoral. No goals can justify such inhumane methods to achieve them.
By virtue of its health objectives, the WHO is opposed to victimization of innocent persons, health facilities and personnel.
On behalf of health authorities worldwide, the WHO calls on all warring parties throughout the world to respect human rights, accord amnesty to all patients and health personnel regardless of their religious, political or social affiliation, and to respect the sanctity of health facilities.
We also call on all Governments, the United Nations family, religious leaders, private organizations and individuals to help ensure that hospitals, the sick and wounded and health personnel do not become targets of armed attacks or hostage-taking.
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