Cathal Kelly on medics in Bahrain

[Letter to Irish Times >] Sir, – I write in response to Prof Eoin O’Brien’s letter (May 14th) regarding the involvement of Irish third-level institutions operating abroad in general, and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) in Bahrain in particular.

We welcome the preparation of a charter for Irish third-level institutions operating abroad, currently being drafted by NUI chancellor Maurice Manning. The conundrum faced by many Irish higher education institutions is that we find ourselves working in countries with different political systems and cultures than our own. To work in those countries we must find a way to be true to ourselves and core mission, while being respectful of their cultural, judicial and political norms.

We are a health sciences institution, focused on medical and health professions education. Our primary responsibility is to provide high quality medical education based on internationally recognised ethical principles in a safe and supportive environment.

Our judgment is that we can best be true to our responsibilities and effective in advocating for the healthcare professionals in Bahrain through private advocacy. However, we greatly respect the work of various advocacy groups and they do their work in a manner consistent with their role and responsibilities.

Over the past 15 months RCSI has stayed in close contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs on the situation in Bahrain. We have repeatedly met senior government officials in Bahrain, outlining our concerns and position.

We unequivocally stated our position in a letter to The Irish Times (June 25th, 2011). On October 7th, 2011 we reiterated this view, stating that while we were not prepared to pre-judge the guilt or innocence of any of the medical personnel facing charges arising from Bahrain protests, we were unequivocal on the need for due process, transparent judicial procedures and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.

RCSI welcomed the publication of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) report which is comprehensive, wide-ranging and unflinching in its findings and conclusions.

In December 2011 and in February 2012, we formally wrote to the King of Bahrain asking him to drop all outstanding charges against all those who were charged, including medical personnel. Our position has not changed.

In February 2012 we wrote to Prof Bassiouni, chair of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry, pointing out that the medical profession in Bahrain has become deeply polarised to the extent that public trust in the profession is now seriously compromised. We stated that, in our view, to rebuild trust a number of things need to happen. First, the outstanding charges against the healthcare professionals should be dropped. We indicated that these charges are a major obstacle to progressing any reform initiative and serve only to fuel hostility and division. This remains our view.

We also recommended that a health sector forum be created to bring the different positions and opposing groups together towards a common project of building reconciliation and mutual understanding among healthcare professionals in Bahrain. RCSI has offered to assist in every possible way to advance this process and is very keen to do so.

We believe the future for Bahrain has to be one of dialogue and reconciliation. Our own national story tells us this may not be resolved quickly. We will continue to contribute through education and continue to advocate for just outcomes. – Yours, etc,

Prof CATHAL J KELLY, Chief Executive, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland