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Topics: News
Lucy Devine
The United Nations has issued an injunction which prevents the government from turning off Archie Battersbee's life support.
It means that Archie's care cannot be withdrawn while they consider the case.
The decision came after Archie's parents made a 'last ditch' attempt to take the case to the UN, to stop his treatment from being withdrawn.
Speaking of the decision, mum Hollie Dance said on Friday (29 July): '"I am so grateful to the UN for their response and acting so quickly for my son.
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"We have been under so much stress and anxiety; we are already broken and the not knowing what was going to happen next was excruciating. To get this news now means everything.
"This is the first time this has ever happened in history of this inhumane system in the UK.
"There have been so many ups and downs, but we have put on the full armour of God, gone into the battle and now we have given Archie time, that is all we have ever asked for."
Meanwhile, Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre who are supporting Archie's family said: "We are delighted with the response from the UN. It is high-time that the UK's processes around proactively ending children's lives came under international scrutiny.
"We now hope and pray that the UN Committee may do justice to Archie and his family, as well as to other disabled people in UK hospitals in future cases. Life is the most precious gift we have.
"We have stood with the family from the beginning three months ago following the tragedy and now continue to pray for this beautiful boy, Archie, and for everyone involved."
The young boy has relied on mechanical ventilation since 7 April when he was taken to hospital after being found unconscious at his family home in Southend, Essex.
He remains in a comatose state after suffering 'catastrophic' brain injuries during a suspected online challenge gone wrong.
This week, the Court of Appeal upheld a previous decision made by the High Court to withdraw life support treatment for the 12-year-old.
Archie’s parent, Hollie Dance and Paul Battersbee, launched an appeal after a High Court judge ruled that the doctors treating Archie could lawfully stop treatment following recommendations from medical professionals.
Three Court of Appeal judges – Sir Andrew McFarlane, Lady Justice King and Lord Justice Peter Jackson – finished hearing arguments about whether further treatment would be in his best interests last Friday (22 July) before delivering their ruling on Monday (25 July).
The family were given 48 hours to make a decision over their next step, but immediately after the announcement, their lawyer indicated they would be appealing to the European Court.
Archie's relatives continue to fight against the decision for his treatment to be withdrawn, arguing that it breaches Articles 10 and 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, as well as Article 6 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Children.