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UN disability committee to examine if UK violated Archie Battersbee’s right to life

by Kelly Valencia
Archie Battersbee.JPG - Banner image

The UN disability committee has agreed to review the case of Archie Battersbee, a boy who suffered traumatic brain injuries on 7th April 2022 and died in August.

The 12-year-old was the subject of a human rights controversy concerning the right to life after being found unconscious in his home in Essex.

Supported by the Christian Legal Centre, Archie's family lodged a series of legal proceedings to maintain his life support but these were unsuccessful.

He died in early August 2022 after his life support was switched off.

Now, the UN Rights of Persons with Disabilities Committee has agreed to look at the case after his mother, Holly Dance, complained.

In July, an application was made to the UN committee to allow his life support to continue while the case was being considered. However, their request to postpone the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment was denied by Court of Appeal judges.

Reacting to the news, Holly Dance said: "At the time, we felt completely betrayed that the government intervened and went against us despite the UN's intervention.

"All we had ever wanted was for Archie to have time. The UN intervention granted that time, but in our hour of need, that was taken away from us.
"Nothing can now bring Archie back, but I am determined to continue to pursue justice for him and to hold the UK government properly accountable," she added.

Archie had previously requested his mother to allow him to be baptised in St Mary's Church, located in Prittlewell, Southend, Essex and had saved his pocket money to buy a cross necklace and a Christian ring.

While in a induced come, he was baptised inside the hospital.

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