Wits Ethics and Standards Committee calls for a boycott
- By Media Release for PR Newswire from client Wits University
Based on the manner in which the judicial system of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has treated a fellow colleague, Professor Cyril Karabus, the Professional Ethics and Standards Committee (PESC) of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand is calling for a boycott of all activities associated with the UAE, including the Africa Health Conference to be held between 7 and 9 May 2013 in Johannesburg.
The PESC has described the process as being “morally indefensible and a gross travesty of justice”.
Based on its core values, which includes the duty to support colleagues whose human rights have been infringed, and while recognising and respecting academic freedom and personal choice, the PESC has called for the boycott.
The Africa Health Conference is organised by Informa Life Science Exhibitions, which has its headquarters in Dubai in the UAE.
“The organisers are not academics belonging to academic institutions – this program is purely a business venture. Many leading South African academics and others from abroad will be participating as presenters or speakers, while several Wits academics will also be participating. With the manner in which Dubai has handled the Karabus case, how can we at Wits and in South Africa support such a conference?” says Prof. Ames Dhai, Director of the Steve Biko Centre for Bioethics in the Wits Faculty of Health Sciences.
Karabus, a 78-year-old South African paediatric oncologist has been detained in the UAE since 18 August 2012, after being sentenced in absentia for the death of a Yemeni patient he treated for leukaemia in 2002. He was acquitted on the charge on 21 March 2013, but was not allowed to leave the country as the prosecutor appealed the decision.
For media comments and queries, contact Prof. Dhai on (011) 717-2718, 082 452 0179 or email amaboo.dhai@wits.ac.za