WMA condemns Prison Sentences on Physicians in Bahrain

The World Medical Association has condemned as totally unacceptable the prison sentences imposed by a military court in Bahrain on 20 physicians and other health workers on charges of trying to overthrow the government.

Dr. Wonchat Subhachaturas, President of the WMA, said: ‘It is a sad day for medicine when physicians are incarcerated for treating patients. Physicians have an ethical duty to care for all patients in situations of conflict irrespective of the political circumstances. The disproportionate nature of the sentences handed down in this case after the court’s seven minute hearing is a disgrace and must be overturned.

‘Physicians and health workers must be protected in these circumstances and not condemned.’