Nursing and Human Rights

The International Nurses Council Code of Ethics Section 1.2 states;

“Nurses promote an environment in which the human rights, values, customs, religious and spiritual beliefs of the individual, families and communities are acknowledged and respected by everyone. Nurses’ rights are included under human rights and should be upheld and protected”. ICN_Code-of-Ethics_EN_Web.pdf.

The International Nurses Council Position Statement on Human Rights States;

“Nurses have an obligation to safeguard, respect and actively promote people’s health rights at all times and in all places. This includes ensuring that adequate care is provided within the resources available and in accordance with nursing ethics. As well, the nurse is obliged to ensure that patients receive appropriate information in understandable language prior to consenting to treatment or procedures, including participation in research. The use of coercion or manipulation to obtain consent is unethical and a violation of human rights and professional codes of conduct”. ICN Position Statement Human Rights.