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The mother and father of a seriously ill infant, who has been the subject of a legal battle over life-saving treatment, are getting ready for another court appearance following involvement from the Italian government.
On Tuesday, a judge will discuss additional matters concerning the well-being of eight-month-old Indi Gregory in a private virtual hearing at the Family Division of the High Court.
The court session was scheduled with Mr Justice Peel, following the decision of the Italian government to grant Indi Italian citizenship. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni promised to take action to protect her life.
The advancements in Indi’s situation share similarities with the evolution of a disagreement over life support treatment in 2018 involving a 23-month-old child named Alfie Evans.
to palliative care
Justice Peel has previously declared that doctors can legally provide Indi, who is being treated at Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham, with limited palliative care.
He determined that this action would benefit India the most.
Indi’s mother and father, Dean Gregory and Claire Staniforth, both in their thirties and from Ilkeston in Derbyshire, desire to continue receiving treatment.
However, their attempts to convince the judges at the Court of Appeal and the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg, France to overturn the ruling have been unsuccessful.
The pair’s attempt to move Indi to a medical facility in Rome was unsuccessful.
The Court of Appeal judges upheld Mr. Justice Peel’s ruling that relocating to Italy would not be in Indi’s best interest.
The Italian government held a brief meeting on Monday solely to grant citizenship to the child, stating the importance of “humanitarian values”.
Ms. Meloni shared on her Facebook page: “They are saying that there is little hope for little Indi, but I will continue to fight for her life until the very end.”
“And in order to protect the rights of her parents to do everything they can for her.”
Five years ago, Alfie Evans was granted Italian citizenship after a different High Court judge in London had ruled that treatment withdrawal was in the little boy’s best interests
Tom Evans and Kate James, parents of Alfie who resided in Liverpool, stated that a representative from the Italian government requested Mr Justice Hayden to grant them additional time.
They mentioned that the case had an aspect of “international relations.”
However, attorneys representing the hospital administrators in charge of Alfie’s treatment argued that obtaining Italian citizenship would not have an impact.
They stated that it was not possible to suggest that English courts lacked jurisdiction.
An attorney who acted on behalf of Alfie and received direction from a court-appointed guardian concurred.
Justice Hayden rejected the final attempt by Alfie’s parents and stated during a court session, “Alfie is a citizen of the United Kingdom and is unquestionably a resident of the UK. As such, he is subject to the authority of the High Court.”
Alfie passed away a few days later, following the withdrawal of life-support treatment.
The judges were informed that Indi, born on February 24th, has been diagnosed with mitochondrial disease, a genetic disorder that depletes energy.
Experts claim that Indi’s condition is critical and the hospital administrators have requested a decision regarding the legality of restricting her medical care.
Medical professionals assert that the therapy administered to Indi results in discomfort and serves no purpose.
Her parents disagree.
The pair is receiving assistance from advocacy group Christian Concern and its affiliated organization, the Christian Legal Centre.
A spokesperson from Christian Concern stated that on Monday, Mr Justice Peel will be addressing matters regarding the location of where doctors will cease life-sustaining treatment.
She was informed that her parents were looking to bring her back to their house.
Justice Peel has reviewed evidence in closed hearings at the Family Division of the High Court in London.
However, he has granted permission for journalists to be present and mentioned that Indi may be mentioned in any published coverage.
Source: independent.co.uk
