The jailing of the Drs. Alaei could stifle progress in HIV/AIDS treatment in Iran, according to a recent Lancet article on the conviction of the two Iranian doctors.

Kristen Elisabeth Solberg quotes PHR’s Jonathan Hutson:

“Public health will suffer in Iran and around the world,” said Jonathan Hutson, chief communications officer of US-based Physicians for Human Rights. “Training people in public health work, engaging with international non-governmental organizations, and attending conferences abroad are not crimes but good medicine”, said Hutson.

Solberg also notes that the convictions could be part of an Iranian government crackdown against Western ties, even when such collaboration brings about scientific advancement. Previously, Iran’s religious and government leaders had publicly approved of the Doctors Alaei’s development of harm reduction programs.

The conviction could signal a shift on HIV/AIDS; a warning against ties with the West; or a crackdown on activists ahead of June presidential elections, advocates say. Some campaigners remain hopeful that Iran’s government will respond to the international outcry from health professionals and release the brothers.

Drs. Kamiar and Arash Alaei have been detained since June 2008 in Tehran’s Evin prison. On Dec. 31, 2008, they were sentenced to six and three years’ imprisonment respectively, for “cooperating with an enemy government.” PHR has led the campaign to call for the Alaei doctors’ release.