30 September 2011
The BMA would like to express in the strongest possible terms its deep concerns at the sentencing of doctors and other health professionals in Bahrain (Bahrain medics jailed for up to 15 years for helping protesters, 30 September). All the independent evidence points to a politically motivated trial which has demonstrated a disregard for proper judicial process and fundamental principles of medical neutrality.
30 September 2011
The BMA would like to express in the strongest possible terms its deep concerns at the sentencing of doctors and other health professionals in Bahrain (Bahrain medics jailed for up to 15 years for helping protesters, 30 September). All the independent evidence points to a politically motivated trial which has demonstrated a disregard for proper judicial process and fundamental principles of medical neutrality. We have seen nothing to convince us that this is anything other than a miscarriage of justice which will have very serious repercussions for the provision of healthcare in the future.
Health professionals have an ethical duty to treat all patients, irrespective of their political allegiance, and the BMA is shocked that these doctors are being persecuted for acting in accordance with their code of ethics. The BMA, working with others, will continue to campaign for the human rights of the Bahraini health workers.
Dr Hamish Meldrum
Chairman of council, British Medical Association
guardian.co.uk/world/2011/sep/..