Sudan doesn't like Doctors Without Borders

[Mycroft]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4593443.stm

Sudan charges MSF man over report

The head of the Dutch wing of Medecins San Frontieres (MSF) has been charged with crimes against the Sudanese state over a report on rape in Darfur.

Paul Foreman was arrested on Monday and later released on bail.

The state crime prosecutor said Mr Foreman had failed to hand over evidence on which the report was based. The charity says it is confidential.

At least they released him on bail.

 

[kimiko]

Here's the report:
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/publications/reports/2005/sudan03.pdf

 

[Elind]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4593443.stm




At least they released him on bail.

I always thought that they were there to treat people, not make potentially political statements and take sides.

I remember first wondering about their judgement when they donated a few vehicles to Iraq for medical related use. This was after Iraq had looted every single vehicle, literally, in Kuwait, and took the tires off any that wouldn't run. In fact the joke at the time was that Iraq should change the 4 stars on its flag to 4 tires.

I wonder where their nice donations ended up.

 

[Mycroft]

Re: Re: Sudan doesn't like Doctors Without Borders

I always thought that they were there to treat people, not make potentially political statements and take sides.

I used to think that too. In fact, IIRC, they used to avoid making political statements of any kind even against the most oppressive and brutal regimes because it would endanger their ability to go anywhere and treat anyone.

I don't know when that changed.

 

[Bjorn]

Re: Re: Re: Sudan doesn't like Doctors Without Borders

I used to think that too. In fact, IIRC, they used to avoid making political statements of any kind even against the most oppressive and brutal regimes because it would endanger their ability to go anywhere and treat anyone.

I don't know when that changed.

I've read the report and IMHO it isn't very political. Which statements are you referring to?

 

[Mycroft]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Sudan doesn't like Doctors Without Borders

I've read the report and IMHO it isn't very political. Which statements are you referring to?

I don't have a problem with the report at all. I was just commenting that it used to be that Doctors Without Borders wouldn't write reports at all, they would just volunteer to travel into war zones and treat the sick and wounded. Their apolitical stance helped get them access they wouldn't otherwise have.

 

[Bjorn]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Sudan doesn't like Doctors Without Borders

I don't have a problem with the report at all. I was just commenting that it used to be that Doctors Without Borders wouldn't write reports at all, they would just volunteer to travel into war zones and treat the sick and wounded. Their apolitical stance helped get them access they wouldn't otherwise have.

I must have misunderstood - Elind said

I always thought that they were there to treat people, not make potentially political statements

... and you commented

I used to think that too. In fact, IIRC, they used to avoid making political statements

... which made me think you had seen something political in the report. You didn't. Carry on ...