The declaration was sent to all Members of the European Parliament on 19 December 2006.

JOINT DECLARATION
OF THE CO-CHAIRMEN OF THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE
BULGARIA - EUROPEAN UNION CATHERINE GUY-QUINT AND ATANAS PAPARIZOV

We are shocked by today's judgement of the court in Tripoli in the case against the Bulgarian medics and the Palestinian doctor, we categorically condemn and resolutely reject the death sentences.

The Court's absurd decision is based on obviously vitiated investigative procedures and records procured under duress, ignoring the incontestable legal and scientific evidence of the medics' innocence.

The protracting of the trial for eight years in a row, the repeated adjournment of court hearings, the refusal to hear witnesses for the defense, the disregard of the authoritative opinions of leading international experts on the AIDS epidemic bear witness to just one thing: a strong politicization of the trial. The sentencing of innocent people to death covers up the real culprits and reasons for the AIDS epidemic in Benghazi and adds further to the tragedy of the infected Libyan children and their families.

The European institutions have constantly expressed deep involvement and solidarity with the Bulgarian medics and have contributed to ensure justice for the falsely accused.

We consider that in light of today's decision by the Libyan court the European institutions should strongly make an appeal that the Libyan authorities immediately release the unjustly convicted Palestinian doctor and Bulgarian medics.

CATHERINE GUY-QUINT
ATANAS PAPARIZOV