Complaints against the University of Ottawa regarding human rights and discrimination have been filed by three resident doctors. All three are from Saudi Arabia; one is participating in the school’s neurosurgery program, and the other two are residents of the cardiac surgery program.

The news release reporting the filing of these complaints didn’t offer many details of explanation, but a press conference on Wednesday will disclose more information to the public on the issue. “We’re bound by confidentiality, so I can’t really discuss any of the details of these cases”, said Andrée Dumulon, Communication Director for the university. One thing he did disclose was that the legal team “has been seized with the issue and is following this very carefully”.

The release did state that Dr. Khalid Aba-Alkhail of the cardiac surgery program was intimidated in a meeting behind closed doors by Doctors Paul Bragg, Wilbert Keon, Thierry Mesasa and James Worthington because they wanted him to drop the case under the threat of eradicating his career.

Mireille Geravis, Director of the Student Appeal Centre that is helping with the complaints said she had dealt with discrimination cases before, most often with prejudice against Arabs or Africans.

The three doctors declined to comment on the issue, say they would prefer to wait until the press conference on Wednesday before they speak publicly on the issue.