Bahrain Court Decision Condemned by WMA

The World Medical Association has expressed its deep disappointment at today’s Bahrain Court decision rejecting the appeal by Bahraini health professionals against their prison sentences.

The Bahrain Court of Cassation, the highest court in the country, upheld the convictions of nine medics following last year’s demonstration and they will now be returned to prison having been on bail since last year.

Dr. José Gomes do Amaral, President of the WMA, said: Today’s decision by the Bahraini Court is deeply disappointing. These health professionals were doing no more than peacefully exercising their rights of freedom of expression and assembly.

‘We do not believe that these health professionals have had a fair trial, nor do we believe that their allegations of torture and ill treatment have been properly investigated. Their convictions are totally unacceptable and we call on the highest authorities in Bahrain to ensure that their sentences are now dropped and that they are not sent back to prison.’