Feb 12
6
On 3rd February only the speeches of the prosecution and the defense attorneys were allowed. The basic right of the accused midwives to speak was denied.
On 3rd February the court hearings of the second instance began of Dr. Ágnes Geréb and her four fellow midwives in front of the Budapest Tribunal. During the court hearing defense attorneys initiated the involvement and consideration of evidence from two Hungarian medical experts who challenge the opinion of experts already heard by the court in one specific case. The defense attorneys argued the importance of not closing the case, but of considering crucial new evidence before a final judgment.
The attorneys also repeatedly requested that the evidence of those international experts who – in contrast to the Interior Ministry experts already heard by the court – have extended knowledge and experience in home birth practices, be considered. Among the international experts are Professor Marsden Wagner who was head of the WHO Women and Children’sHealthCenterfor 15 years, and two other international experts. Their written opinions were however blatantly disregarded by theBudapest Court, and their physical presence as witnesses was also refused.
The attorneys’ initiative was turned down by the Tribunal.
The Birth House Association and the Justice for Agnes Geréb Movement repeatedly calls attention to the sad and unfair situation that due to the failure to legally regulate home births in the past two decades, the most knowledgeable and experienced Hungarian midwives now face a criminal court. Despite the public and professional importance of these cases, the midwives have been exclusively under criminal law. The criminalization of homebirth raises serious human rights issues.
The final judgment will be announced on the 10th of February, from 9 o’clock at the Budapest Tribunal, Budapest, 1055, Markó utca 16. The midwives will be allowed to make a final statement.
Please have your IDs ready to be able to enter the building.
http://www.peticiok.com/igazsagot_gereb_agnesnek
For further information please contact:
Gabriella Nagy
mobile: +36-572-2506
