To the attention of:
Minister of Interior
Mr Süleyman Soylu
mustesarlik@icisleri.gov.tr; bakanlik.musavirligi@icisleri.gov.tr
Ankara Governor
Mr Ercan Topaca
ankarabilgi@icisleri.gov.tr
Turkish Ambassador in Italy
Murat Salim Esenli
ambasciata.roma@mfa.gov.tr
Rome, January 31 2018
Prot n. 14 /Sn/2018
Italian Sustain to Turkish Medical Association
Anaao Assomed, Aaroi-Emac and Snr, most representative Italian trade unions for public healthcare sector, express their grave concerns regarding the current campaign against the Turkish Medical Association (TMA). The strategy of arrest and intimidation further to its press release of 24 January 2018 stressing that war is a public health concern is a gross violation of international human rights norms, particularly rights to freedom of expression and opinion as stated in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948 and in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights that Turkey ratified in 2003, thereby consenting to be bound by its provisions.
As a consequence, Anaao Assomed, Aaroi-Emac and Snr call on to release immediately the physicians’ leaders of the Turkish Medical Association and to put an immediate end to all acts of harassment and intimidation, including at the judicial level, against the Turkish Medical Association.
Anaao Assomed, Aaroi-Emac and Snr advocate for the full respect of Turkey’s humanitarian and human rights obligations, including the right to health, freedom of association and expression.
Anaao Assomed, Aaroi-Emac and Snr fully support Turkish colleagues in their public statement that war is a public health problem and all the necessary action of solidarity will be taken by our organization to support Turkish doctors and Turkish Medical Association.
Costantino Troise ANAAO ASSOMED
Alessandro Vergallo AAROI-EMAC
Corrado Bibbolino SNR