Archie Battersbee's mother makes last ditch appeal to Health Secretary

Archie's parents have appealed to the UN. (Photo: GoFundMe)

The mother of Archie Battersbee has written an urgent letter to the Health Secretary urging the government to prevent his life support from being withdraw.

The UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) has told the government to keep the 12-year-old alive while it considers an application by his family. 

Despite the UN CRPD's injunction, the hospital trust caring for Archie has said it plans to go ahead with removing his life support on Monday. 

The government is yet to respond to the UN CRPD interim measures.

In her letter to Health Secretary Stephen Barclay, Archie's mother, Hollie Dance, said it would be "an extraordinary cruelty" and a "flagrant breach of Archie's rights as a disabled person" if doctors remove his life support. 

"Archie is entitled to have the decisions about his life and death, taken by the NHS and UK courts, to be scrutinised by an international human rights body. Hastening his death to prevent that would be completely unacceptable," she said. 

"I trust that you will now act immediately, as a member of the government responsible for the NHS, to ensure that this does not happen, and our country honours its obligations under the international human rights treaties which we have signed and ratified."

News
Mozambique crisis deepens as Christians killed and thousands displaced in new wave of extremist attacks
Mozambique crisis deepens as Christians killed and thousands displaced in new wave of extremist attacks

At least four Christians were killed, including one who was beheaded, in recent attacks across Nampula province.

Pope Leo calls for release of Christians kidnapped across Nigeria and Cameroon
Pope Leo calls for release of Christians kidnapped across Nigeria and Cameroon

Pope Leo XIV has issued an appeal for the liberation of students, clergy, and worshippers abducted in a series of violent attacks across Nigeria and Cameroon.

Christian street preacher cleared in harassment case
Christian street preacher cleared in harassment case

A Christian street preacher who was accused of making Islamophobic comments to a Muslim family has been cleared of harassment charges. 

Christian school headteacher, parents spar over 'KPop Demon Hunters'
Christian school headteacher, parents spar over 'KPop Demon Hunters'

Teacher says students are taught to ‘reject evil rather than engage with it’