THE USE OF PHYSICIANS FOR HUMAN TORTURE
IMANA'S STATEMENT JULY 6, 2005
The Islamic Medical Association of North America (www.imana.org) is opposed to the use of physicians for torture of inmates and political prisoners irrespective of their faith, race, gender, nationality or alleged crime.
Thus IMANA recommends that its members and all Muslim physicians as well as all physicians of conscience world wide do not participate in the delivery of inhumane treatment, lethal injection, non-surgical amputation or torture of inmates or political prisoners by any means when ordered by their employers, any government or private agencies or on their own.
When asked to do so, not only they should refuse to comply but also notify human rights organizations such as Physicians for Human Rights.
We also believe that violation of confidentiality, misleading medical documentation to hide abuse and failure to report suspect abuse and torture amounts to participation in torture.
Muslim physicians are reminded that they are to uphold the sanctity and dignity of human life, one of the fundamental Islamic principles and be instrument of God's healing and compassion.
They are further reminded that they will be held accountable to God for their actions in this life.
Shahid Athar, MD, FACP, FACE
Chair, Medical Ethics Committee,
Chair, Board of Regents.
Islamic Medical Association of North America
101 West 22nd Street, Suite 106
Lombard, IL 60148
630-932-2000, 630-932-2005(fax)
Reprint Requests:
Shahid Athar, MD
8424 Naab Road
Suite 2D
Indianapolis, IN 46260