20230130-WMA Open Letter to Turkish Authorities

WORLD MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION MEDICALE MONDIALE
ASOCIACION MEDICA MUNDIAL
CIB Immeuble A “Le Keynes” Website : www.wma.net Postal Address :
13-A Chemin du Levant Telephone : (33) 4 50 40 75 75 CS 5001
01210 FERNEY-VOLTAIRE Fax : (33) 4 50 40 59 37 01210 FERNEY-VOLTAIRE
France E-mail address : wma@wma.net France
To the attention of:
President of the Republic of Turkey, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (contact@tccb.gov.tr)
Minister of Justice, Mr. Bekir Bozdağ (info@adalet.gov.tr)
Minister of Health, Mr. Fahrettin Koca (ozelburo@saglik.gov.tr)
30 January 2023
Your Excellency,
I am writing to you on behalf of the World Medical Association (WMA), the global federation of
National Medical Associations representing millions of physicians worldwide. The WMA plays a key
role in promoting good practice, medical ethics and medical accountability internationally.
Amongst the several procedures in progress against the Turkish Medical Association (TMA) and its
members, we would like to draw your attention to the case related to its 11 Council officials suspected
of acting against law no. 6023 (on the responsibilities and missions of TMA) and risking of being
dismissed from their elective functions on charge of terrorist propaganda. The next hearing is
scheduled on the 8th
of February.
As stated in previous correspondences, TMA has been a trustworthy member of our organizations for
many years, recognized for its commitment to serve public health interests, to protect patients and
physicians with great respect of the ethical values of the profession.
Charging our Turkish colleagues with conducting activities promoting the use of violence is not only
incongruous, but also unfounded and dishonest. We witness the integrity and loyalty of TMA and its
representatives and consider that these allegations are an insult to the entire medical profession.
We note with serious concern the continuing harassment against the TMA. In doing so, the Turkish
authorities are acting to the detriment of the health and well-being of its population, with adverse
impacts on the health system and the accessibility to health care.
We call on you to take all measures so that all charges against the TMA and its members are
immediately dropped. We strongly recommend a change in mindset in favour of a constructive
partnership with the representatives of the medical profession in Turkey.
Your sincerely,
Dr Frank Ulrich Montgomery,
WMA Chair of Council