Sat, Nov 21 2009

BULGARIA'S NURSES `SCAPEGOATED' IN LIBYA

Mon, Jan 08 2007 09:06 CET 607 Views
BULGARIA'S NURSES `SCAPEGOATED' IN LIBYA

In an article named Libya's AIDS Scapegoats, Boston Globe told the story of the five Bulgarian nurses sentenced to death for intentional HIV infection in Libya and called for more decisive international action for changed trial outcome.

The article traced the trial through the years, the manner in which international organisations tried to save the Bulgarians and the way in which Libya responded.

On December 19 the court in Tripoli confirmed for second time the death sentences of the five medics, despite reports of Western virologists that the HIV infection occurred before the nurses started working there.

Upon the confirmation, US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice said that the nurses "deserve to go home, and [the US is] very disappointed at the outcome of this verdict."

Boston Globe said that the US should make it clear that diplomatic relations with Libya were possible only if the medics returned home.

"Diplomatic action is needed not just to reverse this travesty of justice, but also to head off the threat this case presents to the willingness of health professionals to work in foreign countries that need their skills," the report said.

At the same time Libya Today reported that the League of Arab States called for Bulgaria and other countries to refrain from interference and to respect Libya's justice system.

What the infected children were going through was a real tragedy and all effort should be directed at lowering their suffering, a league statement said.

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