Category: News Releases

Physicians for Human Rights Criticizes Court Decision to Allow Force-Feeding

News Release

Physicians for Human Rights

New York, NY – 02/11/2014 A federal court today declined to stop force-feeding of Guantánamo detainees, allowing the inhuman and degrading practice to continue.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit declined to issue a preliminary injunction to halt force-feeding, a type of intervention that violates core medical ethics and constitutes ill-treatment.

“The rights of men being held in Guantánamo are being completely ignored, and the hunger strike is the only option they have left to protest their indefinite detention, which has lasted more than 11 years without charges for some of them,” said Dr. Vincent Iacopino, PHR’s senior medical advisor. “By allowing the cruel and degrading practice of force-feeding to continue, the court has essentially authorized the continuation of an abusive tactic that violates human rights and fundamental medical ethics.”

The detainees being forced-fed are being held in indefinite detention, which is in itself a violation of human rights. A preliminary injunction would have at least stopped force-feeding, which constitutes ill-treatment and could rise to the level of torture. A call for injunctive relief for ill-treatment or torture should be granted under both international standards and the 8th Amendment, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.

While the court did not immediately stop force-feeding by issuing an injunction, two of the three judges said the detainees did have a right to challenge the practice in court, paving the way for a continuing legal battle over the issue. The judges also pointed that that “force-feeding is a painful and invasive process that raises serious ethical concerns.” The legal challenge was filed on behalf of three detainees.

Denlinger statement on freedom of conscience amendment to Pennsylvania Constitution

News release

HARRISBURG – Rep. Gordon Denlinger (R-Lancaster) recently made public his intention to draft an amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution that would clarify that document’s intent to protect freedom of conscience. Although the legislation is still being drafted and none of the language has been made public, many have asked questions about it. Denlinger today issued the following statement in response to those questions:
“As a result of receiving a substantial number of questions from friends and community leaders, I feel the need to clarify some misconceptions surrounding my Freedom of Conscience Amendment to the Pennsylvania State Constitution. Unfortunately, some media outlets have confused this issue and concerns are being raised from many people of good will. While no bill has yet been introduced, some in the media have engaged in misguided speculation over how the amendment will actually function, and some have gone so far as to quote lines in a bill that does not yet officially exist.”
“Most disturbing to me is that some have chosen to portray the bill as being an open door to renewed discrimination. I have also heard from friends and neighbors who have expressed a level of personal hurt over the idea that my views on civil rights were accepting of a return to our tragically segregated past. Nothing could be further from the truth. So passionate am I on fighting discrimination that I authored a resolution marking every April 15th as Jackie Robinson Day in Pennsylvania. I count the passage of that measure (House Resolution 130 of 2013) which honors one of my life heroes, a triumph for all that it signifies, and an honest reflection of my views on civil rights.”
“It is the duty of leaders to take an honest and careful look at our communities, giving ear to the deeper concerns of our citizens, so that we can determine the best course forward in self-governance. I have heard the concerns of many and I wish to assure all that the drafting of this amendment is being done with great care. As such, the draft language of my bill is currently being reviewed by constitutional law experts, and I will not introduce any final language until I am confident it is well vetted. Since adding an amendment to our state Constitution will have far-reaching implications, arriving at the proper wording must be handled with thoughtfulness and precision.”
“As I seek to initiate a public dialogue on conscience-level protections, I need to share my strong sense that many of my socially moderate and left-leaning friends do not realize that their social and religious conservative neighbors all across Lancaster County (and I count myself among this cohort) are fully convinced that government-sanctioned persecution of individuals and entities holding to traditional beliefs is not only coming — it is already here.”
“Admittedly, it will be legally difficult to thread the needle of protecting individuals and entities at the level of sincerely held beliefs, while not opening the door to some outcomes that might raise some concerns with the majority. But I do believe recent events highlight the need for some form of protection at the level of individual and entity belief and practice. William Penn created this special place we call Pennsylvania as a safe haven for my Anabaptist forbearers and other groups who dared to believe and live differently than the majority. I am committed to preserving Penn’s noble ideal!”
Representative Gordon Denlinger
99th District Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Charles Lardner 717.260.6443

Jewish General Hospital opposes Bill 60 as patently discriminatory

News Release

The Jewish General Hospital (JGH) strongly opposes Bill 60, on the grounds that the plan by the current Government of Quebec to ban overt religious symbols in the clothing of healthcare employees is discriminatory and deeply insulting to public-sector workers.
Contrary to statements in the bill, the JGH believes that neutrality in the delivery of healthcare services is not compromised by religious symbols in the clothing of employees. As long as services are delivered with professional competence, courtesy and respect, no legislation should be allowed to override the freedoms of religion or expression that are guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and by the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.

“This bill is flawed and contrary to Quebec’s spirit of inclusiveness and tolerance,” says Dr. Lawrence Rosenberg, JGH Executive Director. “Since the bill is inherently prejudicial, there is no point in taking advantage of any clause that would grant us temporary, short-term relief. If approved, this offensive legislation would make it extremely difficult for the JGH to function as an exemplary member of Quebec’s public healthcare system.” Dr. Rosenberg’s statement is endorsed by the JGH Board of Directors.

For nearly 80 years, the JGH has prided itself on the fact that its staff—representing a wide diversity of faiths, with many employees wearing conspicuous items of clothing with religious symbols—has provided care of superior quality to Quebecers of all backgrounds. JGH patients continue to come to this hospital in ever-increasing numbers with only one thought in mind: to receive treatment and care of the highest quality. This is what matters most to residents of the hospital’s Côte-des-Neiges area, which is widely regarded as one of the most ethnically, racially, culturally, linguistically and religiously diverse neighbourhoods in Canada. It is hardly surprising, therefore, that the JGH receives no complaints about the religious or cultural apparel of its staff.

A brief outlining the position of the Jewish General Hospital will be submitted to the National Assembly at a later date.

No interviews will be given on the matter.

Contact:

Glenn J. Nashen, Director
Astrid Morin, Media Relations

Public Affairs and Communications Jewish General Hospital

Tel.: 514-340-8222  ext. 4612

Email: amorin@jgh.mcgill.ca

Website: jgh.ca

Catholic Civil Rights League notes threat to freedom of conscience in Quebec euthanasia bill

The Catholic Civil Rights League has issued a news release concerning the euthanasia bill introduced by the Quebec government.  In addition to expressing the League’s opposition to euthanasia, the release warned that the bill threatens freedom of conscience for health care workers opposed to euthanasia.

Also of concern to the League, while this proposed legislation allows doctors to refuse to participate in euthanasia requests, it implies that they must participate in a process referring the request to a more willing provider. There appears to be no provision for the religious and conscientious rights of other members of the health care team.  As we have seen on the question of abortion, legalization can lead to pressure on health care workers to participate in activities they find morally objectionable.

 

Legal Restrictions Affecting Christians / Report 2012

Legal Restrictions Affecting Christians / Report 2012Report Finds Large Number of Cases of Intolerance and Legal Restrictions Effecting Christians in Europe

Vienna / European Union, May 22, 2013. The Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians releases 41 examples of national laws with adverse effects on Christians in more than 15 European Countries. Additionally, 169 cases of intolerance against Christians in the EU – area in 2012 are portrayed. The report was presented on May 21 at an OSCE High Level Conference on Tolerance and Non-discrimination held in

Tirana, Albania, in a keynote speech delivered by the Observatory’s director Dr. Gudrun Kugler. [Full news release and documents]