Europe 1 with AFP 9:26 p.m., August 3, 2022

The European Court of Human Rights on Wednesday evening rejected the appeal by the parents of a 12-year-old British child who is brain dead against the cessation of treatment that keeps him alive.

Despite successive legal setbacks, the parents have multiplied their appeals to all possible authorities.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Wednesday evening rejected the appeal of the parents of a 12-year-old British child who is brain dead against the cessation of care that keeps him alive.

Archie Battersbee has been kept in a coma in a London hospital since April.

He is considered brain dead by doctors and British justice had authorized the hospital in mid-July to end the treatments that keep him alive.

His parents, Hollie Dance and Paul Battersbee, who are supported by a Christian organization, refuse to bring themselves to let their son die.

They say they want to give him every possible chance to recover and have seen signs of life, in his eyes or by the pressure of his fingers.

Multiplication of appeals before all instances

Despite the successive legal setbacks, they have multiplied the appeals before all possible authorities, obtaining several respites in recent days despite the deadlines set by the judges.

While the end of treatment was scheduled for midday following a new decision by the British Supreme Court, they asked the European Court of Human Rights a few hours earlier to prevent it.

But the ECHR on Wednesday evening ruled their request inadmissible.

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The British health system, "the government, and the courts in this country and in Europe may have abandoned the idea of ​​​​treating him, but not us", reacted in a press release the mother of the child.

"We will fight until the end for Archie's right to live," said Hollie Dance, who regularly updates her son and his battle in front of cameras packed outside the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, New York. east of London.

A challenge on social networks at the origin of the accident

Archie was found unconscious at his home on April 7 and has not regained consciousness since.

According to his mother, he participated in a social media challenge to hold his breath until he passed out.

Before this accident, he was an athletic boy, practicing gymnastics and martial arts.

According to those close to him, seeing athletes praying before competitions, he had become more religious.

For his family, these religious convictions should be taken into account.

But for the medical profession, his case is hopeless, justifying the cessation of care.

“His body, his organs and his heart are shutting down,” Court of Appeal Judge Andrew McFarlane said on Monday.

"Every parent's nightmare"

The Supreme Court justices who also considered the case expressed their "great sympathy" for Archie's parents who are experiencing "every parent's nightmare - the loss of a much loved child".

However, they said it was up to them to enforce the law.

Alistair Chesser, chief medical officer at Barts Health NHS Trust, said he seeks "to give everyone the best possible support at this difficult time".

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"As directed by the courts, we will work with the family to prepare for the discontinuation of treatment, but we will not make any changes to Archie's care until the ongoing legal issues are resolved," he said. added Wednesday.

Hollie Dance has told media that she has been contacted by doctors in several countries, including Japan and Italy, who say they can help Archie recover.

She says she is considering options to get him out of the country.

Two other comparable cases marked the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has in the recent past already been marked by two other comparable cases.

In April 2018, a 23-month-old child, Alfie Evans, suffering from a rare neurodegenerative disease died after a long legal battle by his parents against the cessation of treatment.

His parents had notably received the support of Pope Francis, who had launched several appeals for the maintenance of the boy's life.

In 2017, Charlie Gard, suffering from a rare genetic disease, died shortly before his first birthday, after the cessation of artificial ventilation despite the multiplication of appeals by his parents.