A court case of a prison inmate vs. a midwife and a doctor from prison in Grudziadz who neglected their duties – which resulted in death of an unborn child – begun last Wednesday in Grudziadz. Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights sent a representative to observe the trial.
Ms Aneta M., serving her term in prison in Grudziadz, wanted to get a pass in order to give birth to her first child outside the prison; however – as the woman claims – the prison authorities didn’t agree to it. When she landed in a labour ward and it appeared that the life of the child was endangered, the midwife and the doctor disregarded the risk and have not reacted in a proper manner; as a result, the child was born dead. The woman has reported the case to a public prosecutor’s office.
Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights entered the case as a representative of society; it means that the Foundation is entitled to present its legal opinion to the court, and its representatives have the right to ask questions and make statements during the trial.
Mr Adam Bodnar from Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights expressed an opinion that a case of Ms Aneta M. is an example of a violation of the right to medical care enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Poland; the State is obliged to guarantee the prisoners the same access to medical care as enjoyed by citizens who are not imprisoned. The Foundation is going to approach also the Chief Doctor of the Prison System and the Regional Medical Chamber with regard to the case.
