Title
[Assistance
in hunger strikes: legal guidelines]
Author
Gevers
JK
Address
Academisch
Medisch Centrum, afd. Sociale Geneeskunde, Amsterdam.
Source
Ned
Tijdschr Geneeskd, 144(21):1008-11 2000 May 20
Abstract
Hunger
strikes raise ethical and legal issues, in addition to
societal
and medical ones. The World Medical Association adopted
resolutions
in 1975 (Declaration of Tokyo) and 1991 (Declaration
of
Malta) in which respect for the decision to refuse food was
confirmed.
A survey of the relevant international and national
standards
shows that in the Netherlands law and policy are more
supportive
of respect for food refusal (and against forced
feeding)
than would seem to be the case at the international
level.
However, respect for the decision of the hunger striker
requires
that it is well-considered, informed, and free from group
coercion.
The existence of an unambiguous legal framework will not
save
the advising physician from difficult dilemmas which will in
particular
occur in case of a protracted hunger strike. In
anticipation
of expected loss of judgement capacities in
protracted
hunger strikers it is advisable that the wishes of the
striker
and the professional policy that the physician will adopt
are
written down. In case of hunger strike legal standards cannot
fully
replace psychological insight, professional ethics and
conscience,
however.
Language
Dut
Unique
Identifier
20316595
Major
MeSH Headings
Civil
Rights LJ ; Hunger ; Physician's Role ; Strikes, Employee LJ
Minor
MeSH Headings
English
Abstract ; Human ; Netherlands ; Strikes, Employee MT |