GA 2018-OpS Presentation Adiyaman-Oct2018

11/9/18
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WMA, General Assembly, Reykjavik 2018
Turkish Medical Association
Recent developments…
Prof.Dr. Sinan ADIYAMAN
President
Turkish Medical Association
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The lawsuits against TMA
After a press release titled “War is a Public Health Problem”,
• TMA Central Committee members had been detained for 8
days.
• The Ministry of Interior filed a criminal complaint against the
leaders of the TMA.
• In addition, the Ministry of Health filed a lawsuit with the
allegation that the TMA was “engaged in activities
incompatible with its mandate” and asked for the removal of
all CC members.
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The lawsuits against TMA
Criminal lawsuit: We are still being on trial for:
• “Making propaganda in favour of a terrorist org.”
(imprisonment from one to five years)
• “Instigating hatred and enmity among people or insulting
people” (imprisonment from one year to three years)
As for the lawsuit for removal of TMA CC members:
• The case was dropped since the date of the election for TMA
CC was before the trial date. (TMA CC members were re-elected
with the support of 80% of the physicians)
• So the court concluded that “no decision is needed on the
essence of the case since the Central Council whose removal
from office is demanded has already ceased to exist upon
completing its term.”
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Recent developments
• Besides those lawsuits,
• The governmental bodies have started a disciplinary
procedure for
• removal of TMA Secretary General Dr. Bülent Nazim Yilmaz from
his duty as a public servant
• termination of family medicine contracts of two TMA Central
Council members.
I would like to thank to WMA for its press release, urging
Turkish government to campaign against physicians
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Recent developments
The latest issue:
• A criminal proceeding brought against 14 volunteer
healthcare workers – including Dr. Halis Yerlikaya, a member
of the TMA Central Committee- who, during 79 days of
curfew in Cizre in January 2016, tried to reach dozens of
civilians by an ambulance who were stuck in a basement and
needing urgent healthcare.
• The government forces didn’t allow the ambulance to reach
the area.
• Those healthcare workers, including physicians and nurses,
are prosecuted for being members of a terrorist organization
and engaged in propaganda for that organization.
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Recent developments
WMA reacted immediately,
and sent letters to Ministry of
Health, Ministry of Justice and
to the Court, calling them to
support the healthcare
workers who were trying to
exercise their professional
duty.
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Recent developments
• After the first trial on Sept 28th, the court has decided to
gather more information about the case.
• The second trial will be held on December 26th.
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Once again, I would like to thank to
WMA leadership
and NMA’s from all around the world
for their continuous support…