WMA Open Letter to authorities of Pakistan-Oct2023

WORLD MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION MEDICALE MONDIALE
ASOCIACION MEDICA MUNDIAL
CIB Immeuble A “Le Keynes” Website : www.wma.net Postal Address :
13-A Chemin du Levant Telephone : (33) 4 50 40 75 75 CS 5001
01210 FERNEY-VOLTAIRE Fax : (33) 4 50 40 59 37 01210 FERNEY-VOLTAIRE
France E-mail address : wma@wma.net France
OPEN LETTER
Mr Arif Alvi, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan (arif.na250@na.gov.pk)
Mr Anwar ul Haq Kakar, Prime Minister (info@pmo.gov.pk)
Mr Khalil Francis, Minister of Human rights (Secretary@mohr.gov.pk)
Mr Nadeem Jan, Minister of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination
(contact@nhsrc.gov.pk)
19 October 2023
Re: SUPPORT TO Dr. YASMIN RASHID
Your Excellency,
I am writing to you on behalf of the World Medical Association (WMA), the global federation of National
Medical Associations representing millions of physicians worldwide. The WMA plays a key role in promoting
good practice, medical ethics and medical accountability internationally.
We would like to draw your attention to the critical situation of Dr. Yasmin Rashid, a 70-years old respected
obstetrician and gynecologist in Pakistan, currently in administrative detention as part of the crackdown on the
riots of 9 May and her “inflammatory speech”.
Dr. Yasmin Rashid has dedicated her life to serving the people of Pakistan through her medical expertise. She
has a track record for her good work in health care, including WHO acknowledgement for her work during the
Covid-19 pandemic. Her integrity and commitment to the ethical values of our profession are unquestionable.
Dr Yasmin Rashid was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020 and was undergoing a lengthy treatment before
her arrestation. We are informed that the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) has allowed her to undergo cancer-
related treatment while in detention. We urge you to monitor the situation and to ensure that she effectively
receive adequate treatment for her cancer in accordance with her wishes.
Furthermore, it is our understanding that Dr. Rashid is in detention for expressing an opinion. Such denial of
liberty constitutes a violation of the freedom of speech, a fundamental human right, enshrined in article 19 of
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
We call on you to drop all charges against Dr Yasmin Rashid related to her freedom of expression and to
deliver justice fairly and impartially in compliance with the fair trial rules, guaranteed by the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights that Pakistan has ratified in 2010.
Your sincerely,
Dr Lujain Al-Qodmani,
WMA President