We are hearing disturbing allegations that the Iranian about the government is violating the principles of medical neutrality. A message received by the Huffington Post’s Nico Pitney, who is live blogging Iran’s post-election crisis (scroll to post at 6:03 PM), from a courageous Iranian medical student suggests terrible brutality by government forces towards injured demonstrators.

Hello,

It’s painful to watch what’s happening.

I don’t want anything to do with what has been said this far, as I neither have the strength nor the resilience to face all these unfathomable events.

I only want to speak about what I have witnessed. I am a medical student. There was chaos last night at the trauma section in one of our main hospitals. Although by decree, all riot-related injuries were supposed to be sent to military hospitals, all other hospitals were filled to the rim. Last night, nine people died at our hospital and another 28 had gunshot wounds. All hospital employees were crying till dawn. They (government) removed the dead bodies on back of trucks, before we were even able to get their names or other information. What can you even say to the people who don’t even respect the dead. No one was allowed to speak to the wounded or get any information from them. This morning the faculty and the students protested by gathering at the lobby of the hospital where they were confronted by plain cloths anti-riot militia, who in turn closed off the hospital and imprisoned the staff. The extent of injuries are so grave, that despite being one of the most staffed emergency rooms, they’ve asked everyone to stay and help–I’m sure it will even be worst tonight.

What can anyone say in face of all these atrocities? What can you say to the family of the 13 year old boy who died from gunshots and whose dead body then disappeared?

The Iranian Government must allow health professionals to treat patients regardless of their political leanings. Doctors have an ethical duty to prevent and limit suffering of patients in their care and a duty to practice medicine in a neutral way without fear or favor.  Over the years PHR has helped develop the legal and medical frameworks for this principle of medical neutrality.

Of course, this is not the first time the Iranian Government has interfered with the treatment and care of patients. The Drs. Alaei are victims of the present regime’s crackdown on public health diplomacy.  As Iran confronts horrific post-election violence and an upswing in arrests, we hope that all those unfairly detained, including the Alaeis, will be released and find justice.