May 4, 2019
IFHHRO is deeply concerned about the sentencing on 3 May of the leadership of the Turkish Medical Association, partner of IFHHRO, and joins Physicians for Human Rights’ call that the court’s decision be overturned and the charges be dismissed.
On 24 January 2019 the Council of the TMA issued a declaration titled the War is a Public Health Problem, upon which President Erdogan called the TMA “terrorist lovers”.
IFHHRO supports the TMA declaration, holds the view that doctors have a duty to express concerns about threats to public health clearly and openly, among which is war.
The ruling of the Turkish court is therefore an offense and threat to the global community of doctors and other health workers.