May 12
31
PRAGUE, 23-24 May 2012
Supported by representatives of EMA, the ICM, and ENCA, midwives representing organized midwifery associations, independent midwives, and representatives of civil organizations in Eastern and Central Europe gathered in Prague in May 23-24th, 2012 to enhance the development of the autonomous profession of midwifery in Eastern and Central Europe.
It is vitally important for an autonomous profession to set up a professional board to be able to develop and update guidelines, to investigate birth incidents therefore avoiding the criminalization of midwifery. This Board of Midwives will have practicing midwives among the members and will play an important part in safe midwifery practices.
In Hungary, Dr. Ágnes Geréb’s impending imprisonment for two years, we, Central and Eastern European midwives and representatives of civil organizations, write to kindly ask that you reply positively to her request for a Presidential pardon and the other midwife involved in the same case, Ágnes Kiraly.
Granting the clemency may become the symbol to end the criminalization of midwives in Hungary.
Prague, 24 May 2012
