Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) is a global human rights organization that works at the intersection of science, medicine, and the law to document mass atrocities and human rights violations, and advocate for justice and accountability. PHR recognizes that health professionals, with their specialized skills, ethical duties, and credible voices, are uniquely positioned to address human rights violations. Yet, all too often, health care workers are criminalized, attacked and punished for providing medical care in support of their patients’ right to health.
PHR provides this submission to respond to questions 6, 7, and 8 in the Special Rapporteur’s call for inputs and recommend States parties to:
- Condemn State policies and practices that lead to “dual loyalty” situations, including criminalization of health care and state action resulting in the denial of health care for detainees; and
- Ensure accountability for attacks on health care as a violation of the right to health.