Health care workers in conflict zones

As nurses, we believe in everyone’s humanity and basic right to health. In many conflict zones around the world, this basic right is being ignored.

International humanitarian law clearly establishes that medical personnel and facilities must be protected during armed conflict. Yet health care workers, hospitals and medical facilities in conflict zones are rarely being protected. As international leaders, the government of Canada must take immediate and decisive action to uphold this critical protection.

Under the Geneva Convention (I), article 24 states that medical personnel “shall be respected and protected in all circumstances.” Article 19 states that medical units and hospitals “may in no circumstances be attacked, but shall at all times be respected and protected by the Parties to the conflict.”

These protections are reinforced by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2286, in which the UN Security Council “strongly condemns attacks and threats against the wounded and sick, medical personnel… as well as hospitals and other medical facilities.”

Yet attacks on health care workers continue around the world, resulting in injury and death of nurses, doctors, patients and humanitarian workers.

Such crimes cannot be ignored. We call on the Canadian government to use its voice, influence and diplomatic power to ensure that hospitals remain safe havens and health care workers are protected no matter where they serve.

The CFNU urges the Canadian government to:

1. Condemn all attacks on health care facilities and health care workers, and demand accountability for perpetrators.
2. Support stronger enforcement of international humanitarian law, including at the United Nations and other global forums.
3. Increase humanitarian aid and medical assistance to affected regions, providing essential supplies and ensuring personnel can safely reach those in need.
4. Work with international partners to investigate and prosecute those responsible for war crimes targeting health care.
5. Demand a global commitment that health care must never be a target.
6. Use Canada’s diplomatic leadership to promote peace, democracy and respect for international law, recognizing that lasting protection for health care workers depends on the pursuit of just and peaceful resolutions to conflict.