Resolution on the death sentence on the medical staff in Libya

The European Parliament adopted by 567 votes to 1, with 7 abstentions, a resolution on the conviction and imprisonment by Libya of five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor.

The text adopted in plenary had been tabled as a joint resolution by the EPP-ED, PES, ALDE, Greens/EFA, GUE/NGL and UEN groups.

The Parliament condemns the verdict of the Libyan Criminal Court of 19 December 2006, convicting, after a re-trial, and sentencing to death five Bulgarian nurses, Kristiana Vulcheva, Nasya Nenova, Valentina Siropulo, Valya Chervenyashka and Snezhana Dimitrova, and a Palestinian doctor, Ashraf al-Haiui, who have already spent eight years in prison in connection with the 1999 HIV/AIDS case at the Benghazi hospital. The Parliament calls on Colonel Qadhafi to exercise his powers and bring about the release of the imprisoned medical personnel as a matter of urgency.

Whilst expressing their full solidarity with the victims of the HIV/AIDS infection in Benghazi, MEPs call on the Commission and the Council to:

• take steps with the Libyan Government to secure an early release of the imprisoned medical personnel;
• consider, in the absence of a positive outcome to the case, a revision of the common policy of engagement with Libya in all relevant fields, as the Union deems appropriate.

On a general note, the Parliament reiterates its radical opposition to the death penalty.