Death sentences on Bulgarian and Palestinian medical staff in Libya

Statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern T.D.

Death sentences on Bulgarian and Palestinian medical staff in Libya

I am deeply disappointed and disturbed by the decision of the Libyan court confirming the original conviction of five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor for infecting Libyan children with the HIV virus, and sentencing them to death.

To the tragedy of the infected children and their families is now added a grave injustice. The most reputable scientific evidence has clearly demonstrated that the outbreak of infection began before the arrival in Libya of these medical workers, and continued after their imprisonment. They have now spent eight years in prison, two of them under sentence of death, for offences they did not commit.

I call upon the Government of Libya to find a means to resolve this issue, and secure the release of these medical workers. As we welcome Bulgaria into the European Union on 1 January, I can assure the Bulgarian Government of Ireland’s continued support and solidarity.