Open letter: medical treatment refused because of headscarf

Complaint against Ms. Dr. Kardasch, Havemannstr. 24, D – 12689 Berlin

Ladies and Gentlemen,

we want to inform about an incident that was reported to us by Ms. Maria-Carmen S. in a counselling interview in our office.

Ms. S. called Dr. Kardasch in order to make an appointment for medical treatment. Ms. Kardasch had personal contact to the mother of Ms. S. Therefore she knew about the religious affiliation of Ms. S. and the fact that she used to wear a headscarf. During the phone-call the doctor asked Ms. S. if she was still wearing a headscarf. As she aswered “yes”, the medical treatment was refused. Ms. S. reported that the reason for the refusal was that wearing a headscarf is a political intention and has nothing to do with Islam.

We arranged a dialogue between Ms. S., Ms. Kardasch and an employee of the ADB. The doctor confirmed her point-of-view, and explained that she had refused the medical treatment because of personal reasons. On enquiry she mentioned that these reasons were political reasons. Her main argument seemed to be, that wearing headscarfs is also prohibited in public buildings in Turkey.

Therefore we demand a statement of the German Medical Association and occupational consequences for Ms. Kardasch

Yours sincerely

Reza Rassouli

(for the executive council)