What do the Principles of Medical Ethics require healthcare personnel to avoid?

The Principles of Medical Ethics explicitly require healthcare personnel to avoid participating in torture or degrading treatment due to the fundamental commitment to do no harm. The ethical obligation of medical professionals encompasses the duty to protect and respect human dignity, health, and well-being. Engaging in torture or any form of degrading treatment not only contradicts the core values of medicine—such as compassion, respect for autonomy, and beneficence—but also undermines the integrity of the healthcare profession itself.

Healthcare personnel are guided by ethical principles that emphasize the right to treatment and humane conditions for all individuals, including detainees. Thus, any involvement in actions that cause suffering or humiliation is fundamentally at odds with these principles. This commitment applies universally, regardless of the individual's status, including those who are detainees.

In comparison, documenting patient interactions, providing first aid, and reporting all patient injuries are activities that align with the standards of medical practice. These actions are integral to patient care and the documentation of health conditions, which ultimately serve to protect and advocate for the well-being of individuals in medical settings.