9 THE NURSE'S ROLE IN SAFEGUARDING HUMAN RIGHTS International Council of Nurses, 1983 Responding to requests from national member associations for guidance on the protection of human rights of both nurses and those for whom they care, the Council of National Representatives of the International Council of Nurses adopted the statement given below at its meeting in Brasilia in June 1983. STATEMENT ON THE NURSE'S ROLE IN SAFEGUARDING HUMAN RIGHTS This document has been developed in response to the requests of national nurses associations for guidance in assisting nurses to safeguard their own human rights and those for whom they have professional responsibility. It is meant to be used in conjunction with the ICN Code for Nurses and resolutions relevant to human rights. Nurses should also be familiar with the Geneva Convention and the additional protocols as they relate to the responsibilities of nurses. The current world situation is such that there are innumerable circumstances in which a nurse may become involved that require action on her/his part to safeguard human rights. Nurses are accountable for their own professional actions and must therefore be clear as to what is expected of them is such situations. Also conflict situations have increased in number and often include internal political upheaval, and strife, or international war. The nature of war is changing. Increasingly nurses find themselves having to act or respond in complex situations to which there seems to be no clear cut solution. Changes in the field of communications also have increased the awareness and sensitivity of all groups to those conflict situations. The need for nursing actions to safeguard human rights is not restricted to times of political upheaval and war. It can also arise in prisons or in the normal work situation of any nurse where abuse of patients, nurses, or others is witnessed or suspected. Nurses have a responsibility in each of these situations to take action to safeguard the rights of those involved. Physical abuse and mental abuse are equally of concern to the nurse. Over- or under-treatment is another area to be watched. There may be pressures applied to use one's knowledge and skills in ways that are not beneficial to patients or others. Scientific discoveries have brought about more sophisticated forms of torture and methods of resuscitation so that those being tortured can be kept alive for repeated sessions. It is in such circumstances that nurses must be clear about what actions they must take as in no way can they participate in such torture, or torture techniques. Nurses have individual responsibility but often they can be more effective if they approach human rights issues as a group. The national nurses associations need to ensure that their structure provides a realistic mechanism through which nurses can seek confidential advice, counsel, support and assistance in dealing with these difficult situations. Verification of the facts reported will be an important first step in any particular situation. At times it will be appropriate for the NNA to become a spokesman for the nurses involved. They may also be required to negotiate for them. It is essential that confidentiality be maintained. In rare cases the personal judgement of the nurse may be such that other actions seem more appropriate than approaching the association. Amani Trust Knowledge, attitudes and experiences of nurses on human rights, their violations and medical ethics in Zimbabwe.