WMA was created to ensure the highest possible standards of medical ethics, medical education and human rights. In recent years there has been a worrying trend of physicians being tortured or victimized by dictatorial regimes or terrorist groups. Since its creation, one of the WMA's dreams has been to develop a unit which can optimize its capacity to act as the global leader for physicians in the surveillance of and reaction to human rights abuses against physicians and patients. We are currently seeking to develop this unit, helping physicians and patients whose human rights have been violated.

This unit will develop policy and training programs on human rights, coordinate advocacy programs and act as a clearing- house and resource center for the health care community.

In cases of abuse physicians can act as witnesses against the perpetrators of violence and torture.

WMA will seek to respond by denouncing cases of abuse, and will work with other health and human rights organizations in creating alliances to combine our strengths in advocating and working for the highest possible standards of human rights for all people.