AMA Calls on Australian Government to Make Representations to Support Turkish Doctors

By Petrina Smith
Wednesday, 11 June, 2014

The AMA has written to Prime Minister Tony Abbott asking the Australian Government to call on Turkish authorities to immediately drop legal action against Turkish doctors who provided emergency medical care to people injured during protests in Istanbul in May.

AMA President, A/Prof Brian Owler, said the AMA has learned that the doctors, who are members of the Turkish Medical Association (TMA), face a court case commencing tomorrow, 12 June.
A/Prof Owler said the AMA has asked the Australian Government to show support for international medical neutrality by requesting the Turkish Government drop the charges against the doctors.
“Throughout the world, in times of peace and conflict, doctors must be allowed to care for those in need, impartially and without discrimination, and without fear of prosecution or punishment for complying with their ethical obligations,” A/Prof Owler said.
“These doctors were doing what they trained to do – care for the injured.
“The World Medical Association (WMA) and other international medical organisations have also protested about the action taken against the Turkish doctors. “The AMA and the WMA have particular concerns about a new Turkish health law that criminalises emergency medical care and requires routine reporting of all confidential patient information to State authorities.
“The AMA National Conference last month supported the WMA position that Turkish authorities should safeguard international principles of medical neutrality and medical ethics and ensure doctors are not sanctioned on the grounds of complying with their professional duties.
“The AMA passed a resolution to advocate for the rights of doctors in Turkey to provide medical care to the ill, injured, and unwell in any situation without fear of physical, professional, or legal sanctions from their government and ministries.
“Support for the Turkish doctors would send a strong signal to the world that doctors and other health professionals should not be impeded in their duty of care to the sick and injured,” A/Prof Owler said.
The AMA has also expressed its concerns directly to the Turkish Ambassador to Australia, His Excellency Mr Reha Keskintepe.