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Statement by Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner on Libyan Court Decision

Sommaire: June 8, 2005: Statement by Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner on Libyan Court Decision (Brussels)

Following the decision today by a Libyan appeal court to clear nine policemen and a doctor accused of mistreating 5 Bulgarian nurses currently in jail in Tripoli, the European Commissioner for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner said:

"Today's decision is a matter for serious concern. We have been extremely disappointed by the procedures in this trial: lawyers from Avocats sans Frontières were denied visas, and therefore were not able to be present in court or to assist their clients in line with the normal international standards of law.

During my recent visit I was encouraged by the assurances given by the Libyan authorities that these legal standards would be maintained in the context of this trial as well as in the future Supreme Court decision on the trial against the Bulgarian and Palestinian medics already sentenced to death. In the light of today's decision I feel impelled to reiterate that it is essential that all elements of both cases be fully taken into account in order to dispel any doubt about the due process of law and to bring this issue to an appropriate and humanitarian conclusion."

Background

5 Bulgarians and 1 Palestinian have been in prison in Libya since the outbreak of HIV/AIDS at the Benghazi hospital in the late 1990's. The EU has repeatedly expressed serious reservations about the basis on which they have been prosecuted and tried, their treatment in prison, and delays in the process.

Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner raised the case of Bulgarian and Palestinian medical workers under sentence of death in Libya in talks with the highest authorities, including Colonel Muammar Khadafi and Libyan Prime Minister, Shokri Ghanem, during her visit to Libya on 24-25 May. She also visited the Bulgarian and Palestinian medical workers in their prison in Tripoli.

The Commissioner's trip was also an opportunity to raise international awareness of the Benghazi AIDS tragedy. Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner explained to the Libyan side work underway to implement the EU-sponsored Action Plan in favour of those affected by HIV/AIDS in the country. She met children suffering from HIV/AIDS in Benghazi and their families, as well as Libyan medical personnel.

  • Ref: EC05-219EN
  • Source UE: Commission Européenne
  • UN forum: 
  • Date: 8/6/2005


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