As recently as April of this year, Archie was a healthy 12-year-old boy. Now he will die, even the exact hour is known - unless the Supreme Court in England intervenes at the last second. Archie's parents are fighting to the last resort to ensure that the life support that Archie needs after a serious accident in the spring is extended.
Only on Monday did a court reject the application for an extension of the measures beyond Tuesday afternoon. The Court of Appeal in London dismissed the corresponding application by a United Nations committee. Now only a ruling by the Supreme Court can prevent the machines from being shut down at 12 p.m. local time (1 p.m. CEST).
Archie suffered serious brain injuries in a home accident in April. He was found unconscious at the time and has been in a coma ever since. His parents believe it is possible that he took part in an internet challenge.
A legal battle for his life has been raging for weeks. A week ago, an appeals court denied the parents' request to continue life support. It's in Archie's best interest. The hospital wanted to stop life-sustaining measures on Monday. The family then turned to the United Nations.
The UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities called for the measures to continue until the application was examined. The British government then asked the Court of Appeal to reconsider the case, but the court ruled in favor of the hospital. Due to the procedure, the discontinuation of the measures was postponed by almost a day from Monday afternoon to Tuesday.
The case is reminiscent of similar disputes over terminally ill children in Great Britain. Britain's NHS, which is under severe financial pressure, tends to withdraw life support much earlier than would be the case in Germany. In addition, the wishes of parents and relatives are not taken into account to the same extent. What is in the best interests of the patient is often decided by judges on the recommendation of medical professionals.
Doctors believe the boy's brain is no longer functional. Several courts have agreed with this representation. Judge Andrew McFarlane said Monday there was medical evidence the boy's body and organs were failing.
The child's mother, Hollie D., told the BBC the decision on whether to extend her son's life should rest solely with the family.
