Update on Casa Quivira--Thursday, August 16

Follow-up to my earlier post: The Guatemalan government decided not to move the kids from CQ to a shelter, per the International Herald Tribune:

"It's not a good idea to move them," said the Secretary of Welfare's deputy director, Sully de Ucles. "These are babies that have special care needs and here (in Casa Quivira) they have all they need."

The government allegations against CQ also appear to be softening.

Nevertheless, the situation is not good, per this press release from the director of Casa Quivira:

PRESS STATEMENT
16 August 2007
Casa Quivira Children's Home located in Antigua, Guatemala has been illegally occupied by personnel from the Guatemalan President's Office for Social Welfare (Secretaria de Bienestar Social de la Presidencia, SBSP). The SBSP personnel have refused to allow supplies, specialized milk formulas or medicines from being delivered to the Children's Home by Casa Quivira workers. These supplies and medicines are desperately needed in order to maintain the level of healthcare necessary to prevent the 45 babies legally in the care of Casa Quivira from becoming ill. The Pediatrician for Casa Quivira has not been allowed access to evaluate the children since Saturday, 11 August 2007.
Lawyers for Casa Quivira have repeatedly demanded that the SBSP workers immediately leave the premises or demonstrate a judge's order allowing them to occupy the property. They have refused to do either. Reports from the Casa Quivira lawyers are that the health of the children is deteriorating along with the hygienic conditions of the home and that Casa Quivira nannies and nurses are being obstructed from performing their duties by SBSP personnel.
Appeals to the Office of Human Rights in Antigua, Guatemala by attorneys from Casa Quivira have been rejected. Another appeal is being made at this time to the Human Rights Office in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Casa Quivira attorneys have also filed a writ of habeas corpus to seek relief of the unlawful detention of the children by the SBSP. So far, these appeals have fallen on deaf ears as judge after judge recuse themselves. All avenues of justice will continue to be pursued until the children legally entrusted to the care of Casa Quivira receive the proper nutrition and medical services and the safety and security of their lives are restored.
Clifford Phillips
Director
Casa Quivira