PHR Library

Memo from Assistant Secretary Winkenwerder outlining Department of Defense Policy

This Memo reaffirms the historic responsibility of health care personnel of the Armed Forces (to include physicians, nurses, and all other medical personnel including contractor personnel) to protect and treat, in the context of a professional treatment relationship and established principles of medical practice, all detainees in the custody of the Armed Forces during armed conflict. This includes enemy prisoners of war, retained personnel, civilian internees, and other detainees.

Read Assistant Secretary Winkenwerder's Memo [pdf format]