An open letter from Concerned Medical Students on Iraq

We, the undersigned medical students from across Canada, strongly oppose the current military intervention in Iraq on the grounds that it constitutes an attack on the public health of Iraqi civilians and is likely to cause a humanitarian crisis.

The current military assault on an already vulnerable population affected by past wars and 12 years of harsh economic sanctions¹ is alarming. We are further concerned about its effects on international stability and the legitimacy it lends to military assaults and violence as a form of political or social action outside of international law.

As future health care professionals who aim to preserve life and health, it is our responsibility to advocate for the prevention of violence through peaceful resolution of conflicts, as well as to serve as activists for all human beings whose health and well-being is threatened by conflicts worldwide. We call upon all concerned parties to immediately recommit themselves to the collective frameworks for peace, justice, and security as enshrined in the UN Charter and other international agreements.

Please find our letter at www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/168/9/1115-a/DC1. We hope it will contribute to informed discussion among members of the government, the public, and the medical profession.

Patricia P. S. Lee 2nd year Medical Student University of Western Ontario London, Ont. on behalf of more than 600 medical students across Canada (www.uwomeds.com/iraq)