Sir, – The College of Psychiatry of Ireland has expressed its concern to the embassy of Bahrain in relation to the arrest of Dr Moshen Tarif on his way to work at the Salmanyia Medical Complex in Bahrain. This arrest is a worrying development in the current situation following the detention of over 40 clinical personnel during the recent civil unrest.
The Irish delegation, organised by Prof Damian McCormack, who met Dr Balooshi, the Bahraini minister of health and human rights, highlighted their great concern for one of the detained doctors who, after enduring torture over a four-month period, is now reported to be suicidal.
The arrest of Dr Moshen Tarif, 48 hours after their meeting with the minister, may intimidate members of the mental health profession, who may now be reluctant to become involved in helping their medical colleagues dealing with the mental health effects of torture.
Although Dr Moshen Tarif was released, the College of Psychiatry of Ireland again calls for the immediate release of all clinical professionals currently detained. – Yours, etc,