After 11 years in power, Erdogan is accused of becoming increasingly authoritarian [AP]
A controversial medical bill that makes it a crime
for doctors to provide emergency first aid without
government authorisation has come into force in Turkey despite an outcry
from rights groups.
Under the legislation that was approved by President Abdullah Gul on
Friday, those convicted could be imprisoned for up to three years and
face fines of nearly $1m from January 18.
Critics fear it could be used to bar doctors and medical workers from
treating protesters wounded in anti-government demonstrations as
reportedly happened during mass street protests in June last year.
The US-based Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) branded the
legislation another attempt by the government of Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan to quash dissent.
"Passing a bill that criminalises emergency care and punishes those
who care for injured protesters is part of the Turkish government's
relentless effort to silence any opposing voices," PHR senior medical
adviser Vincent Iacopino said.
"This kind of targeting of the medical community is not only
repugnant, but puts everyone's health at risk," he said in a statement
on the PHR website.
The legislation, drawn up by the ruling Justice and Development Party
(AKP), bars medical professionals from working outside state health
institutions and is aimed at preventing doctors from setting up private
clinics for example.
Medical professionals who break the law would face up to three years in prison and be fined up to $985,000 (728,000 euros).
Political protesters
Last month, the United Nations had also raised concerns about the bill and urged the government to reconsider it.
"If adopted, it will have a chilling effect on the availability and
accessibility of emergency medical care in a country prone to natural
disasters and a democracy that is not immune from demonstrations," UN
Special Rapporteur on the right to health, Anand Grover, said in a
statement.
"Enacting laws and policies criminalising provision of medical care
to people challenging state authorities, such as political protesters,
will certainly deter healthcare workers from providing services due to
fear of prosecution," he said.
During the unrest which gripped the country last year, the Turkish
doctors' association repeatedly accused government forces of preventing
medics from treating injured people.
At least six people were killed and about 8,000 hurt in nationwide
clashes between police and protesters who took to the streets in a wave
of public opposition to Erdogan.
After 11 years in power, Erdogan is accused of becoming increasingly
authoritarian and of trying to impose greater government control and his
conservative religious values on all sectors of the traditionally
secular society.