Following information from MWIA members in Nicaragua about the humanitarian crisis occurring in their country, including the recent killing of a Brazilian medical student studying in Nicaragua, the Medical Women’s International Association (MWIA) has issued the following statement.
MEDICAL WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Web Address: http://www.mwia.net
Founded 1919, Incorporated Geneva, Switzerland
In official relations with the World Health Organization since 1954
Category II status with the Economic and Social Council, United Nations
July 23, 2018
MWIA express solidarity and urges immediate action by global community to restore Human Rights in Nicaragua
The Medical Women’s International Association- is troubled following by reports of
recent acts of continued violence in Nicaragua against students, civilians, clergy members
and media personnel.
International organizations must ensure and monitor that human rights are respected by
all governments, and that action may be taken against governments that do not do it.
It is the duty of all NGOs to give evidence of episodes of violence which they learn to
raise public awareness and combat violence in all its forms.
As one of the aims of MWIA is to defend the health of men, women and children all over
the world, we believe it is our duty to strive to protect those who are violated.
We are deeply concerned that our medical colleagues and other members of the health
care work force are being intimidated and threatened and are often being held hostage in
clinics and hospitals. This continued abuse against them is preventing the delivery of
health care for those unfortunate victims of violence, at this crucial time. The continued
delays in providing timely medical assistance is unacceptable and we call upon the
Nicaraguan authorities to address this violence and inhumane treatment of the people and
ensure that their health and human rights are not compromised as they are at present.
We, the members of MWIA collectively call upon world leaders, the various UN
agencies and international judiciary joining with calls from our non-governmental
associations’ and academic colleagues to take immediate action against the unacceptable
situation in Nicaragua.
Prof. Dr. Dr. Bettina Pfleiderer Shelley Ross, MD, CCFP, FCFP, ICD.D
President, MWIA Secretary General, MWIA
