How the Syrian Government Targets Health Workers for Arrest, Detention, and Torture

“My Only Crime Was that I Was a Doctor”

How the Syrian Government Targets Health Workers for Arrest, Detention, and Torture

Source: Physicians for Human Rights

Since 2011, the Syrian government has systematically targeted civilians: besieging and cutting off supplies in opposition-held areas, bombarding densely populated centers, and arresting, detaining, and torturing protesters and their allies. Among the victims of such crimes are Syrian health care workers, targeted for providing medical care to injured civilians during the conflict. 

LEILA

PHR’s new report “My Only Crime Is That I Was A Doctor” is the first investigation to document the purposeful, brutal, and illegal strategy of the Syrian government to target health workers for arrest, detention, and torture. PHR conducted semi-structured interviews and brief psychological assessments of 21 Syrian health care workers. These interviewees – physicians, medical volunteers, pharmacists, paramedics, and psychiatrics – were formerly arrested and tortured by the government’s security forces. For months, or even years in some cases, survivors of torture endured daily beatings, public humiliation, and high-voltage electrical shocks.

It’s time for the truth behind the systematic persecution of health workers in Syria to be revealed and made public. Help us share their testimonies and demand accountability for human rights violations. 

READ THE FULL REPORT HERE

***

Action for Sama is in an independent campaign by the filmmakers of For Sama, which aims to end the targeting of healthcare facilities in Syria. To find out more and learn how you can take action, visit actionforsama.com. 

Watch For Sama on Channel 4 (UK) and PBS Frontline (US)