Summary: EU Council Conclusions on the Death Sentence against five Bulgarian nurses and one Palestinian doctor in Libya (22 January 2007:Brussels)
2776th EXTERNAL RELATIONS Council meeting
The Council adopted the following conclusions:
"The Council of the European Union expresses its grave concern over the unacceptable verdict of the Criminal Court in Libya, on 19 December 2006, convicting and sentencing to death in a re-trial, five Bulgarian nurses and one Palestinian doctor who have already spent almost eight years in prison in connection with the HIV/AIDS case at the Benghazi hospital in 1999. First and foremost this verdict ignores strong evidence from world-renowned international experts as to the innocence of the
defendants.
Furthermore, as a matter of principle, the Council reiterates its position that the EU opposes capital punishment under all circumstances.
The Council expects an urgent conclusion of the judicial process according to internationally accepted standards.
While recalling its conclusions of 11 October 2004, the Council expects the Libyan authorities to ensure that a positive, fair and prompt solution is brought to this case, leading expeditiously to the release of the medical workers. In this context, the relations between the European Union and Libya can further develop.
The European Union continues to demonstrate its compassion and solidarity with the plight of the HIV/AIDS infected children and their families in Benghazi. It recalls the success of the EU Action Plan for Benghazi, launched as a purely humanitarian measure, and the establishment of the Benghazi International Fund, which is ready to be activated."
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