ECHR: Blood transfusion for Jehovah’s Witness lawful

The European Court of Human Rights ruled that it was not a violation of human rights to administer a blood transfusion to a Danish Jehovah’s Witness against his wishes. The man, who passed away in October 2014, had previously refused blood transfusions as part of his faith. However, he received one when he was unconscious and in critical condition after an accident. The Supreme Court of Denmark previously affirmed that the transfusion did not violate the right to self-determination because the man was unconscious. Earlier, the Eastern High Court had reached the opposite conclusion. The ECHR’s rulings are legally binding, and states party to the court are obligated to adjust their laws and practices accordingly. In a similar case from Spain, the outcome was different, resulting in criticism of Spain for administering a transfusion to a Jehovah’s Witness against their will.