CODE OF CONDUCT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS (1979)


ARTICLE 1   Law enforcement officials shall at all times fulfil the duty imposed upon them by law, by serving the community and by protecting all persons against illegal acts, consistent with the high degree of responsibility required by their profession.    


ARTICLE 2  In the perforcement of their duty, law enforcement officials shall respect and protect human dignity and maintain and uphold the human rights of all persons.    


ARTICLE 3  Law enforcement officials may use force only when strictly necessary and to the extent required for the performance of their duty.    


ARTICLE 4  Matters of a confidential nature in the possession of law enforcement officials shall be kept confidential, unless the performance of duty or the needs of justice strictly require otherwise.    


ARTICLE 5  No law enforcement official may inflict, instigate or tolerate any act of torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, nor may any law enforcement official invoke superior orders or exceptional circumstances such as a state of war or a threat of war, a threat to national security, internal political instability, or any other public emergency as a justification of torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.    


ARTICLE 6  Law enforcement officials shall respect the law and the present Code. They shall also, to the best of their capability, prevent and rigorously oppose any violations of them.  Law enforcement officials who have reason to believe that a violation of the present code has occurred or is about to occur shall report the matter to their superior authorities and, where necessary, to other appropriate authorities or organs vested with  reviewing or remedial power.