Doctors condemn Bahrain sentences (03/10/2011)
Medical organisations have condemned the prison sentences given to doctors and nurses caught up in protests in the gulf state of Bahrain last week.
Medical organisations have condemned the prison sentences given to doctors and nurses caught up in protests in the gulf state of Bahrain last week.
Some 20 health care staff were given long sentences in a seven minute hearing last week after their hospital was caught up in anti-government protests.
Dr Iona Heath, president of the Royal College of GPs, said the organisation was "deeply alarmed" and would be joining international protests.
She said: "Medical professionals have an ethical duty to treat patients and this duty stands above all considerations of allegiance. It is essential that medical professionals are not subjected to political manipulation, or persecuted for delivering care to those who need it.
"The College will be adding its voice to the to the protests over the sentencing of doctors and nurses in Bahrain for allegedly treating protesters against the regime. This is truly abhorrent and completely contrary to the values and ethics of healthcare professionals worldwide."
A statement from the BMA said: "All the independent evidence points to a politically motivated trial which has demonstrated a disregard for proper judicial process and fundamental principles of medical neutrality.
"We have seen nothing to convince us that this is anything other than a miscarriage of justice which will have very serious repercussions for the provision of health care in the future."
UK foreign office minister Alistair Burt said the British government had "deep concerns" about the proceedings and "disproportionate sentences".
A statement said: "He made clear that these were worrying developments and emphasised the importance of implementing the National Dialogue recommendations, and the independent Commission of Inquiry." 
