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Exhibit No. 1A: Letter of "The friends of Dr.
Delev"
The following letters (Exhibits 1a and 1b) from "Friends of Dr. R. Delev"
were sent to many officials. The letters were either ignored or answered
evasively. Nevertheless, from my point of view, they are the most forceful
evidence that supports my case and -- this book.
The signatories of those letters, especially Dr. Vujnovic, were very kind and courageous to support my actions. They were tireless in knocking at the authorities' doors.
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15-04-1977
Dear Friends:
We wish to address all of you who are familiar with the grievances of Dr. Risto Delev. As you know, after more than five years he is in exactly the same situation that precipitated the present communication.
Dr. S.K. Littmann, professor of psychiatry at the University of Toronto, has written in part: |
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"Having met Dr. Risto Delev on many occasions to discuss his grievances
about his hospitalization in Quebec, and his attempts to rectify the injustice
done to him, I am now writing to urge you to pursue his legal case with vigour
and speed.
In my view this case should have been completed a long time ago. If so, it would have allowed Dr. Delev to devote most of his time and energy to other matters. The non-resolution of his case, on the other hand, is to his disadvantage, both from a health and a professional point of view. Surely enough time has elapsed to arrive at a conclusion once and for all." (December 12, 1974 to Delev's lawyer). |
| To this letter, there has been no response at all. On June 15, 1976, Dr. Littmann wrote again to Dr. Delev's lawyer and to the Minister of Justice, the Honourable R. Basford, with a similar message of urgency: |
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"More than six months ago, 1.12.75, Mr. Stanley Haidash, StanleyM.P. (Dr.
Delev's Member of Parliament), wrote to you on his constituent's behalf urging
you to use your influence to have the Ombudsman of the Province of Quebec
grant an interview to Dr. Delev.
The situation arose out of Dr. Delev's view that he was wrongfully hospitalized in Quebec 4 years ago, against his will, and that no one in Quebec appeared to have the slightest understanding or interest in his case.
It is my understanding that Dr. Delev subsequently presented himself at the Ombudsman's office, but was not granted an interview because, to use his terminology, he was thought to be mad.
I can assure you, Mr. Minister, that I and a number of colleagues in the academic psychiatry are well acquainted with Dr. Delev's case. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that he has been and continues to be treated most unfairly as a result of his hospitalization.
May I therefore urge you to give his case your personal attention and to intercede with the Government of Quebec to grant Dr. Delev a fair hearing with the Quebec Ombudsman. |
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To this letter, Dr. Delev's lawyer also did not respond, while Mr. Basford
replied that "this matter is not one over which I have any jurisdiction and
therefore it could not be appropriate for me to intervene with the provincial
authorities."
After receiving Mr. Basford's letter, Dr. Littmann apparently became discouraged and took no further action.
Faced with this situation, still woefully unresolved, we, the friends of Dr. Delev, are joining him in his efforts to rectify the injustices perpetrated and to re-establish and assert his fundamental human rights.
It is our opinion that Dr. Delev's case warrants investigation not simply on the basis of psychiatric evaluations that may have been in error. In fact, we are now in possession of legal and hospital records which indicate that the psychiatrists involved in the original case are guilty of misrepresentation, falsification, perjury, obstruction of justice, physical tortures, and other abuses directed against Dr. Delev which border on the negligent and criminal.
We are hoping that the newly-elected government in Quebec will react in a more humanitarian fashion to the ongoing plight of Dr. Delev, and we appeal to you to join us in providing moral support for Dr. Delev's cause. For this reason, we are sending you the enclosed declaration which we hope you will take a few moments to sign and return to us.
We are an activist group for helping Dr. Delev. We believe a direct confrontation with those who unscrupulously trample human rights and dignity will be hard, but we believe also that only direct confrontation will be effective in our struggle. We intend to arrange a public panel, presenting Dr. Delev's case in its entirety. Simultaneously, we will pursue the case with the appropriate institutions.
Unfortunately, these confrontations are expensive. Their success depends on contribution from all those who value human rights and dignity. Please fill in the following coupon and send it with your donation. Every dollar counts. You will receive periodic letters concerning our programs and progress.
Yours very truly,
(Signature of Dr. P. Vujnovic)
Dr. Predrag Vujnovic, M.D. |
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