Page 111 - Human Rights

Faculty of Nursing
Adult care Nursing Department

In 2006 the theme focuses on safe staffing as a life-saver for patients.

Another form of advocacy is represented by giving recognition to human rights activism by nurses.

An example of this is the Health and Human Rights Award given by the International Council of
Nurses.

The award was created in 2000 with the goals of calling attention to ICN’s values and

commemorating nursing’s commitment to human rights.

The International Centre for Nursing Ethics based at Surrey University, UK, also gives the Human

Rights and Nursing Award annually (formerly biennially) to recognize the human rights advocacy
of individual nurses.

3.4.3 Individuals

Advocacy for asylum seekers A nurse formerly employed in an asylum detention center in

Woomera, Australia, found that the company managing the center was not fulfilling its obligations

to detainees. On reflecting for the need for nurses to advocate on behalf of patients, she wrote:

“…nurses must speak out whenever they believe patients are disadvantaged or patients’ rights are
violated.

This holds especially true in detention settings where treatment choices are not an option, and

usual avenues of complaint and support are restricted… The code of ethics compels nurses to do

whatever is necessary to preserve the integrity of nursing practice. A company employing
registered staff with professional obligations should expect nothing less.”

Individual nurses are the actors who make ethics and human rights real – in the clinic, hospital and

home.

This report cites examples of actions taken by individual nurses.

107 Academic Year 2025/2026