Plea to Iran to respect doctors

The beleaguered security forces in Iran are abusing health facilities, leaving at least one doctor dead, medical leaders have warned.

The World Medical Association yesterday wrote to the President of Iran calling on the country to ensure health care services are protected during the country’s present turmoil.

Dozens are thought to have died in the continuing protests following the death of a woman arrested for not wearing approved clothing. Women and girls throughout Iran have been reported to be choosing to appear bare-headed in defiance of the law.

The WMA said injured protesters had been arrested in emergency rooms and doctors prevented from completing treatment.

It spoke of reports of ambulances being used to transport security forces and doctors being placed under pressure to falsify medical records to cover up torture.

WMA President Dr Osahon Enabulele said: “We are seriously concerned by these shocking practices impeding the provision of health care for those in need and failing to protect health personnel in the pursuit of their mission, in flagrant violation of fundamental human rights standards, including the right to health and the freedom of expression.

“We strongly condemn such inappropriate violence by the security forces, arbitrary detentions as well as the misuse of medical facilities for the deliberate purposes of repressing demonstrations.

“Standing in solidarity with our Iranian colleagues, we demand safe working conditions for physicians and other personnel in the pursuit of their mission, as well as full access to health care to all those in need.

“We call for an immediate and unconditional end of violence as well as independent investigations as a step towards pursuing accountability for the most serious crimes under international law committed in Iran.”

,

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search

Categories

Monthly Posts

Our Clients

BSH
Practice Index