Duncan McLean

In this volume, the concept of "medical neutrality," which states that medical services should not be interfered with during armed conflicts and other emergencies, is challenged based on the experience and expertise of the authors, who come from diverse military, humanitarian, and academic backgrounds. The principle of medical neutrality is grounded in International Humanitarian Law as well as in Human Rights Law and it can be justified by ethical rationales such as the principle of Humanity and ordinary medical ethics. Health workers often understand medical neutrality as an obligation not to engage in anything else other than medical outcomes. In this book, a variety of problems and ethical issues in the application of medical neutrality in the professional practice of healthcare personnel are analyzed. The contributors expand the debate around “medical neutrality” and aim at better-informing policy and operational decisions regarding the application of medical ethics, the protection of medical missions in conflict, and the training of healthcare professionals to operate ethically and safely in volatile environments. The volume is of great interest to academics, practitioners, policymakers, and students who are looking for analyses and guidance regarding medical neutrality.

The protection of medical services in armed conflict is generally framed under the principle of medical neutrality. That respect for this principle has had a chequered past would be an understatement, that violations of medical neutrality continue to this day obvious to most observers. Rather than attempting to explain why this is the case, this paper offers a comparative analysis as to how a historian’s toolbox can be employed to better understand contemporary attacks on healthcare. A broad historical overview of medical neutrality will be provided, while remaining cognizant of the challenges of juxtaposing different epochs, before delving into methodological suggestions. Throughout the paper the author draws on his experience both as an analyst with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and a historian to provide concrete illustrations, both historical and recent. Finally gaps and suggestions for future research will be highlighted.