ANA backs ICN call for action to resolve the case of five Bulgarian nurses and Palestinian physician wrongfully detained in Libya.

The American Nurses Association (ANA) today joined the International Council of Nurses (ICN) in its call for a just, fair and expeditious trial of the five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor who were wrongfully charged by Libyan authorities for allegedly infecting Libyan children with HIV. ANA, as the professional association for registered nurses and the U.S. representative to the ICN, has been gravely concerned about these detained colleagues whom we believe to be innocent; as well as for the infected children and their families.

"It is unconscionable that these health care professionals continue to suffer the physical and mental anguish of being detained unjustly with no end in sight, forced to endure repeated threats of execution and a comprised legal defense. We strongly support the ICN and urge the immediate release of these individuals to house arrest for the duration of the legal proceedings and demand they be given immediate access to the lawyers they choose and the expert witnesses they need," said ANA President Rebecca M. Patton, MSN, RN, CNOR.

The six health care professionals, who have been imprisoned since 1999, have suffered mentally and physically at the hand of the Libyan government. Their trial has been postponed repeatedly and is currently adjourned until September 21st.

If convicted, the professionals will once again face the death penalty. ANA, as part of ICN's 129 national nursing associations across the world, is encouraging all nurses to speak out against the injustice facing the imprisoned health professionals by communicating directly with government leaders. Additionally, ANA is continuing to urge the United States government to remain vocal in expressing its concern for the health professionals and advocate for a just, fair, and expeditious trial.