05 January 2023

The international medical community calls for release and acquittal of Prof. Şebnem Korur Fincancı

European doctors are deeply concerned by the ongoing detention of Prof. Şebnem Korur Fincancı, President of the Turkish Medical Association, and we continue to call for her unconditional release at the upcoming hearing on 11 January.

Prof. Şebnem Korur Fincancı, President of the Turkish Medical Association, is a globally renowned forensic physician, who has been a long-time partner to leading medical and human rights organisations, acting with integrity and commitment to the ethical values of the medical profession.

Prof Fincancı has been in pre-trial detention since 26 October, when she when was imprisoned on charges of ‘propaganda for a terrorist organisation’ following an interview in which she called for an independent investigation into allegations of the use of chemical weapons. Her detention was prolonged following hearings in Istanbul on 23 and 29 December.

A further hearing will take place on 11 January 2023, during which Prof Fincancı could be convicted for up to 7.5 years.

European Doctors call for the immediate release of Prof. Şebnem and for all charges against her to be dropped.

“European doctors are deeply concerned by the ongoing detention of Prof. Şebnem Korur Fincancı and we continue to call for her unconditional release. Her imprisonment is a violation of her freedom of speech, and we appeal to Turkish authorities to drop these arbitrary charges immediately.

“It is vital that the autonomy and independence of the medical profession is safeguarded, and we fully support her human right and professional duty to highlight allegations of breaches of international law.”

Dec 2022 European doctors condemned the prolonged detention of Prof Fincancı following hearings on 23 and 29 December
European doctors condemned the prolonged detention of Prof Fincancı following hearings on 23 and 29 December

On 23 and 29 December, European doctors condemned the continued and arbitrary detention of Prof Fincancı following court hearing in Istanbul.

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Dec 2022 Joint Letter to Turkish authorities calling for Prof Fincancı's immediate release
Joint Letter to Turkish authorities calling for Prof Fincancı's immediate release

On 20 December, CPME, together with the World Medical Association and four European Medical Organisations, wrote to Turkish authorities urging the immediate release of Prof. Şebnem Korur Fincancı on behalf of millions of physicians across the world.

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Oct 2022 Press release condemning the arrest of Prof. Fincancı in October
Press release condemning the arrest of Prof. Fincancı in October
European doctors condemned the arrest of Prof. Fincancı the day following her arrest on 26 October 2022.
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Updates on her case and support for her release is posted using the #FreeSebnem hashtag.

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