Amputation punishment condemned by World Medical Association

The World Medical Association has expressed its abhorrence about eight prisoners in Iran who are at risk of having their fingers amputated as punishment for robbery.

WMA President Dr. Heidi Stensmyren said: ‘According to Amnesty International this appalling punishment is due to be carried out imminently. Such a barbaric sentence must be condemned by the whole world.

‘Under Iranian law, amputation requires the presence of a physician for the assessment and enforcement of the sentence. This would be in direct violation of ethical guidelines and international human rights law, and the WMA would support any Iranian physician who refuses to take part in such punishment’.

It is understood that the eight prisoners are sentenced to have four fingers on their right hands completely cut off so tat only the palm of their hands and their thumbs are left.

Dr. Stensmyren added: ‘Such abhorrent practices are simply unworthy of a state governed by the rule of law. We call on the Iranian authorities to comply with its international obligations, in particular the International Covenant Civil and Political Rights, which has been ratified by Iran, and which prohibits cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment and treatments in all circumstances and without exception.’