Article Date: 13 Jun 2011
Speaking in advance of military trials in Bahrain for more than 40 nurses, doctors and other health workers, Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said:
“We are very concerned that healthcare workers appear to be being targeted for nothing more than treating patients in need, putting them in an intolerable position.
Article Date: 13 Jun 2011
Speaking in advance of military trials in Bahrain for more than 40 nurses, doctors and other health workers, Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said:
“We are very concerned that healthcare workers appear to be being targeted for nothing more than treating patients in need, putting them in an intolerable position. We welcome the intervention of the UK government via its embassy in Bahrain and the International Council of Nurses. We urge regimes to adhere to their national and international commitments to protect patients, nurses and doctors. They should also recognise that doctors and nurses are there to help the sick and injured wherever, and whoever, they are. We are alarmed at allegations of torture or other ill-treatment of these healthcare workers. They should never be put in a position where they are punished for trying to do this job, and we would urge the authorities in Bahrain to ensure that the trial faced by these workers is fair and transparent.”
Notes
The UK government via its embassy in Bahrain has submitted a formal request to the Bahraini authorities seeking access to the tribunals, where the nurses and doctors are being tried (due to appear 13 June) and that it is monitoring the situation closely. See here.
The International Council of Nurses have also issued a joint statement with the World Medical Association, calling for fair trials for the health workers in Bahrain – see here.
Amnesty International have raised concerns about the treatment of those detained see here.
Source:
Royal College of Nursing (RCN)