Thursday 21 January 2016

IMA appeals for release of surgeon imprisoned in Egypt

IMA appeals for release of surgeon imprisoned in Egypt

New Delhi, January 19, 2015: Egyptians authorities have jailed and reportedly tortured an Egyptian vascular surgeon, Dr. Ahmed Said, alongside four others, claiming his involvement in protests that took place four years ago.

This has been widely criticized by the international medical community, and would set a dangerous precedent if not dealt with immediately. As a global voice of doctors, the World Medical Association (WMA) has strongly protested this and called for the immediate release of the doctor.

As reported by the WMA the only evidence against the ‘offenders’ was the report of a single National Security officer. ‘The World Medical Association would like to recall that the freedom of expression is a fundamental human right. Egypt ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 1982, hereby establishing its consent to be bound by the provisions of the Covenant.

Speaking about this, Dr. SS Agarwal – National President IMA and Padma Shri Awardee, Dr KK Aggarwal – Honorary Secretary General IMA and President HCFI in a joint statement said, “The Indian Medical Association (IMA), the largest organization of doctors in India, stands in solidarity with WMA in this cause and strongly condones this act by the Egyptian authorities. IMA demands the release of the Dr Ahmed Said and others on account of basic human rights.

We would like to emphasize in particular the Article 19 (2) of the Covenant providing that “Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice,”’ said Sir Michael Marmot WMA President.

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