|
News Releases
No. 63/07
June 11, 2007
EU OFFICIALS VISIT IMPRISONED MEDICS AND FAMILIES OF HIV-INFECTED CHILDREN IN LIBYA
 European Union
External Relations Commissioner
Benita
Ferrero-Waldner (left) and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier today met with the Bulgarian nurses and a
Palestinian doctor accused of infecting children with
HIV in
Libya.
"I admire the courage of the Bulgarian nurses and the
Palestinian doctor, who have gone through this ordeal
for eight years now. They can rest assured that I will
continue to work with all my powers to achieve their
liberation – the sooner the better. We do see a window
of opportunity for a solution and it is our intention to
make sure that it doesn't close before we can use it,"
said Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner.
Yesterday, the EU officials visited the Benghazi Centre
for Infectious Diseases and Immunology and met with
parents of the infected children. German Foreign
Minister Steinmeier, representing the
EU presidency,
said the visit to the hospital moved him deeply.
"I admire the strength and courage with which everyone
involved – doctors, nurses and parents – are helping the
children by easing their suffering," he added.
"I'm
pleased that we Europeans were able to play our part and
that we will continue to do so. We have a deep moral
obligation to help these children."
The five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor were
sentenced to death for infecting 438 children with
tainted blood. The medics have been in prison for more
than eight years and are awaiting a final verdict on
their appeal against their sentence. The EU has
repeatedly expressed serious reservations about the
basis on which they have been prosecuted, their
treatment in prison and delays in the process. As part
of their visit to
Tripoli, the EU officials have also
discussed the issue with Libyans officials.
Further Contact Information
Press and Public Diplomacy
Delegation of the European Commission
2300 M Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037
http://www.eurunion.org/PressRoom
Tel: 202-862-9552
Fax: 202-429-1766
|
