Physicians for Human Rights
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Policy Statement
New Medical Neutrality Exemption to “Material Support” Bar to Asylum is Applauded
PHR commends Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano’s decision to create an exemption to the “material support” bar for health professionals who have provided medical assistance to wounded combatants. The decision is a major victory for health professionals who were forced to provide health care to alleged terrorists during armed conflict. Previously, medical professionals forced to provide care to members of terrorist organizations, some under the threat of torture or death, were denied asylum in the US.
NY Anti-Torture Legislation Memorandum of Support
PHR strongly supports New York bill A.6665 (Gottfried) and S.4495 (Duane), “An Act to amend the public health law, the education law and the labor law, in relation to prohibiting participation in torture and improper treatment of prisoners by health care professionals,” which will bar all health care professionals from participating in the torture or improper treatment and interrogation of prisoners, requires health care providers to report torture or improper treatment of prisoners to responsible authorities, and provides whistleblower protections for health care professionals who refuse to undertake prohibited acts and those who participate in investigations of lawbreaking.
Witness to War Crimes: Evidence from Misrata, Libya
When Libyans first took to the streets to protest Colonel Muammar Qaddafi’s autocratic rule in February 2011, Qaddafi's response was quick and brutal: attack protesters and target civilians in a deliberate campaign to quash dissent across the country. This report documents some of the conflict's most severe human rights violations that must be addressed as a new civilian government emerges.
Introducing Medical Neutrality Protection Act of 2011
Representatives Jim McDermott (D-WA) and Walter Jones (R-NC) introduced a bill on July 26, 2011 that will protect medical neutrality around the world. This is Rep. McDermott's statement for the official record.
Richard Sollom Testifies on Bahrain to Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission
Richard Sollom, Deputy Director of PHR, testified to the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, US Congress, on Bahrain's attacks on and detention of medical professionals in the wake of protests against the government in February and March, 2011.
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