Minister Roche calls on Libyan authorities to review position of Bulgarian and Palestinian Medical Workers
Speaking at the 114th Meeting Ministerial Meeting of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, 13 May 2004, Minister Dick Roche said “ Abolition of the death penalty is a fundamental European value which this Organisation, and the European Union both strongly uphold and actively promote. “
“The European Union has therefore expressed its concerns to the Libyan authorities about the verdict of the Libyan Court in the case of the Bulgarian and Palestinian medical workers. We have conveyed our concern about the basis on which this case was prosecuted, the treatment of the defendants throughout their custody, the verdict reached and the imposition of the death penalty - despite strong evidence from internationally respected experts as to the innocence of the defendants. The Libyan authorities can be in no doubt as to the importance which the European Union attaches to a satisfactory and just outcome in this matter. “
Following the Ministerial meeting there was a bilateral meeting between the Bulgarian Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Petko Draganov, who thanked the Irish Presidency for the very active role it is playing in this matter.
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