British boy in coma: Archie's parents fail in Supreme Court

The parents of the comatose 12-year-old have appealed to the UK Supreme Court after an appeals court rejected a UN appeal.

British boy in coma: Archie's parents fail in Supreme Court

The parents of the comatose 12-year-old have appealed to the UK Supreme Court after an appeals court rejected a UN appeal. But this also blocks the renewed rescue attempt. His mother wants to fight "to the bitter end".

In the fight for the life of a terminally ill boy in England, his parents failed in the final court instance. The Supreme Court in London today rejected an application by which the parents wanted Archie to continue on life support. Archie suffered serious brain injuries in a domestic accident in April - possibly during a Tiktok dare. The 12-year-old has been in a coma ever since.

Several British courts ruled that the doctors could let the boy die. This was in his best interest, it said in justification. Earlier this week, Archie's family contacted a UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which called for action to continue until the application was reviewed. However, the courts did not have to follow the request. Now the legal process should be exhausted.

The Supreme Court justices followed the Court of Appeals' previous decision, saying that since there was no prospect of true recovery, life support would only "prolong dying." One does not make this decision lightly and expresses "deep sympathy" to Archie's parents.

"It's scandalous, really shameful," Archie's mother told journalists after the decision outside the east London hospital where the 12-year-old is being held. Her son's health is improving and in other countries the family would have completely different opportunities. She is deeply disappointed and will "fight to the bitter end", but it feels like the "end of the road".

It was initially unclear when Archie's devices would be turned off. The case is reminiscent of similar disputes over terminally ill children in Great Britain. The financially squeezed British health service tends to withdraw life support much sooner 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.

(This article was first published on Tuesday, August 02, 2022.)