Archived: WMA Resolution on Physician Participation in Capital Punishment


Adopted by the 34th World Medical Assembly, Lisbon, Portugal, September/October 1981
and amended by the 52nd WMA General Assembly, Edinburgh, Scotland, October 2000
and the 59th WMA General Assembly, Seoul, Korea, October 2008
and rescinded at the 69th WMA General Assembly, Reykjavik, Iceland, October 2018

RESOLVED, that it is unethical for physicians to participate in capital punishment, in any way, or during any step of the execution process, including its planning and the instruction and/or training of persons to perform executions.

The World Medical Association

REQUESTS firmly its constituent members to advise all physicians that any participation in capital punishment as stated above is unethical.

URGES its constituent members to lobby actively national governments and legislators against any participation of physicians in capital punishment.

Resolution
Capital Punishment, Death Penalty, Execution, Non-Involvement