Pardoned Gynecologist Criticizes Medical Community’s Response to Abortion Case

20 October 2019 – bySylvanus · 1 min read

After being granted a royal pardon, gynecologist Mohamed Jamal Belkeziz, sentenced on September 30 to 2 years in prison and 2 years of ban from practicing his duties, for illegal abortion, in the "Hajar Raïssouni" case, has been released from prison. Between disappointment and regret, the doctor wants to take his time before putting on his gynecologist’s coat again.

"I had sat on the Rabat Medical Association Council for nearly six years. And, in cases like mine, we would set up an expert committee to establish a scientific report that we would submit to the justice system even if it did not ask us to," said gynecologist Mohamed Jamal Belkeziz in an interview with the Arabic-language website Al 3omk.

However, the doctor regrets that his colleagues did not adopt the same approach when it came to his own case. Similarly, the lack of support from his colleagues, in particular the members of the order and the community of gynecologists - with the exception of a few - has also offended him. "It’s shameful!" he exclaims.

With 40 years of practice, this gynecologist said that no patient has ever complained to him. According to Mohamed Jamal Belkeziz, this case that led him to prison has deeply devastated him. "My dignity has suffered. At one point, I had laid down my arms, as they say. Today, the royal pardon has given me strength. I thank the Sovereign," he confided.