Supreme Court Blocks Family’s Bid to Keep Archie on Life Support
The battle to save baby Archie took a brutal hit on Thursday. The Supreme Court refused his parents’ urgent plea to delay the withdrawal of his life-sustaining treatment so they could take their fight to the United Nations.
Parents’ Last-Ditch Bid Denied
Archie’s parents had rushed to the Supreme Court, asking justices to halt hospital bosses from pulling the plug while they lodged a complaint with the UN’s Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. But three justices swiftly rejected their appeal.
“This will allow the parents to present their case to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.” – Christian Legal Centre spokesman
The family’s lawyers argued the UK’s Court of Appeal was wrong to block them from pursuing the UN route and left them forced to apply only to the European Court of Human Rights.
Catastrophic Brain Injury Leaves Archie ‘Brain-Stem Dead’
Archie suffered catastrophic brain damage in a tragic home accident three months ago. Doctors at the Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, believe he is “brain-stem dead” and that keeping him on life support is not in his best interests.
But Archie’s parents fiercely disagree, insisting their child’s heart is still beating. They are backed by the Christian Legal Centre, who are fighting for their right to seek every possible legal avenue.
Legal Wrangling and Heartache Continue
- Archie’s life support was cleared for removal by the Court of Appeal after the health trust asked for a ruling on his best interests.
- His family’s request to postpone the hearing was granted after his father suffered a suspected heart attack just before proceedings.
- High Court and appeal judges have wrestled over whether Archie is deceased and whether the family’s religious views and wishes have been fairly considered.
Despite gestures from the judiciary, the Court of Appeal recently rejected the family’s appeal against the decision to end life support. Now, with the Supreme Court shutting the door on a further appeal, the family’s battle looks set to continue outside British courts.
