The Oath of Athens (International Council of Prison Medical Services, 1979) We, the health professionals who are working in prison settings, meeting in Athens on September 10, 1979, hereby pledge, in keeping with the spirit of the Oath of Hippocrates, that we shall endeavour to provide the best possible health care for those who are incarcerated in prisons for whatever reasons, without prejudice and within our respective professional ethics. We recognize the right of the incarcerated individuals to receive the best possible health care. We undertake: 1. To abstain from authorizing or approving any physical punishment. 2. To abstain from participating in any form of torture. 3. Not to engage in any form of human experimentation amongst incarcerated individuals without their informed consent. 4. To respect the confidentiality of any information obtained in the course of our professional relationships with incarcerated patients. 5. That our medical judgements be based on the needs of our patients and take priority Principles of Medical Ethics relevant to the Role of Health Personnel, particularly Physicians, in the Protection of Prisoners and Detainees against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Adopted by General Assembly resolution 37/194 of 18 December 1982 Principle 1 Health personnel, particularly physicians, charged with the medical care of prisoners and detainees have a duty to provide them with protection of their physical and mental health and treatment of disease of the same quality and standard as is afforded to those who are not imprisoned or detained. Principle 2 It is a gross contravention of medical ethics, as well as an offence under applicable international instruments, for health personnel, particularly physicians, to engage, actively or passively, in acts which constitute participation in, complicity in, incitement to or attempts to commit torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. 1 Principle 3 It is a contravention of medical ethics for health personnel, particularly physicians, to be involved in any professional relationship with prisoners or detainees the purpose of which is not solely to evaluate, protect or improve their physical and mental health. 76 Sourcebook on solitary confinement: Appendix 1