ETHICAL CONDUCT

Article 19. Humanitarian relief agencies, the press, mass media, the staff of academic and research institutions, health and mental health professionals, and others working in war zones and other conflict situations should adopt and follow codes of conduct and ethical standards founded on the same principles that govern professional practice in their own countries. At the same time they must be sensitive to the cultural norms of the country in which they work. Individuals who work independently should do the same. Compliance should be promoted through training and other effective means. This will prevent further damage, stigmatisation, exploitation or breaches of confidentiality, which may result from the dependency of the refugees or the communities, or because they belong to a vulnerable or to a socio-cultural or political group different from that of the researcher and service provider. The prevention of re-traumatisation is essential. Agencies must also be responsible for preventing traumatisation as well as providing support and care for their personnel. Solutions for ethical neutrality must be sought. Research must be directed towards the benefit of the affected populations. The ethical standards of the Helsinki Declaration must be followed.

Article 20. Governmental and non-governmental funding sources, United Nations agencies, international organizations must ensure equity in the allocation of financial resources for mental health care and psychosocial rehabilitation of refugees, displaced and other populations affected by conflict.