When protesters in Bahrain were met with violence and repression starting in February, doctors, nurses, EMTs and other medical professionals did what they were trained to do, as well as what they were obligated to do - treat the injured. Both in hospital and in field clinics, Bahraini medical workers tended to those in need. In an unprecedented step, however, the government sent security forces and ultimately the military into the hospitals to detain the injured, while also shutting down medical facilities and targeting the medics. The Geneva Conventions provide for protection of medical workers under the principle of medical neutrality.
Among a widespread pattern of repression, Bahraini security forces entered and took over medical care facilities - both public and private; interrogated, detained, beat and tortured medical personnel; stole ambulances and posed as medics; established checkpoints outside medical facilities; and abducted medical professionals providing services at field clinics.
In the most egregious case affecting the medical community, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Ali Al-Akri was abducted from the operating room at Salmaniya Hospital while performing surgery on March 17.
On 29 September, 20 Bahraini medical professionals were sentenced by a security court. The sentences ranged from five to fifteen years on a range of spurious charges ranging from inciting hatred of the regime to possessing weapons. The medics deny all charges against them, and will appeal the decision.
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