The Syrian government has responded to popular protests with months of sustained and extreme violence and intimidation, and an all-out assault on the country’s medical system. PHR has documented attacks on Syria’s medical profession – violations that are but one aspect of the myriad abuses the Syrian people have endured over the past several months.
The attacks on Syria’s medical community are alarming. PHR received evidence that government forces
- deny wounded civilians impartial medical treatment;
- invade, attack, and misuse hospitals;
- attack and impede medical transport; and
- detain and torture doctors for treating wounded civilians.
These circumstances have spawned an underground health network, which faces a unique set of challenges as it struggles to provide care for civilians.