Sarah Ludford joins rally for Bulgarian medics' freedom

3.00.30pm GMT Fri 9th Feb 2007

Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP, Liberal Democrat European justice spokeswoman and vice-chair of the European Parliament's human rights subcommittee, will today speak at a rally in Sofia on behalf of the ALDE group of MEPs, calling for the release of five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor on the 8th anniversary of their detention. Since January 1st 2007, the Bulgarian nurses are EU citizens.

These medical staff were sentenced to death by Libyan courts in December last year, in a retrial, on the charge of intentionally infecting children with HIV at the Benghazi children's hospital. An appeal to the Libyan supreme court is expected. International experts have advised that the outbreak of the HIV infection preceded the date when the foreign medics started working at the Benghazi hospital.

Baroness Ludford said:

"The HIV outbreak is an absolute tragedy for the children involved and their families. In sympathy and solidarity with their suffering the EU has given substantial technical assistance to improve HIV/AIDS treatment in Libya and contributed to the International Fund of $120 million which has helped treat children abroad and given financial assistance to families."

"But this is also a tragedy for the wrongly accused medics. It is deeply disappointing that the Libyan courts have so far ignored the evidence in unjustly convicting these six. Obviously a death sentence is unacceptable anyway, and justice and humanity demand that they be released and allowed to return home."

"It is discouraging that this injustice should obstruct an EU policy of engagement at a time when Libya was starting to enjoy closer relations with the EU. That prospect can be revived if there is a satisfactory outcome to this case."

"I welcome this opportunity to show support for the ALDE sister parties in Bulgaria, the NMSS and MRF, and all those who join them in campaigning for the release of the innocent Bulgarian nurses."