Police open fire on HIV demonstrators

Introduction

On 12 July 2005, the South African Police Services in Queenstown,
Eastern Cape, used rubber bullets, batons and tear gas against
peaceful protesters asking for HIV treatment.

The protest was organised at Frontier Hospital by the Treatment
Action Campaign (TAC) to call for the rapid expansion of the
antiretroviral (ARV) treatment programme in the province. Many
of the demonstrators were people living with HIV. Demonstrators
sought to meet with the CEO of the hospital. Police assaulted
demonstrators with batons to remove them from the hospital,
then opened fire with rubber bullets and tear gas on
demonstrators outside the hospital. 54 people were injured.

Frontier Hospital in Queenstown serves a population of 200 000
people with five feeder clinics in the Lukhanji sub-district:
Nomzamo, Philani, Ilinge, Sada and Hewu clinics. It is estimated
that 2000 people need treatment in this area but fewer than 200
people are on treatment. Fewer than 10 people have been put
on treatment this year.

On 29 December 2004 the Eastern Cape Health Department sent
a circular to all clinics that read: "No new clients should be
admitted on ARV's until further notice. Continue sending those
that are already on treatment to Frontier Hospital."

Since April 2005, the TAC District office has tried to negotiate and
get access to information and treatment.

TAC has now called for a mass demonstration in Queenstown on
Tuesday 26 July and are asking civil society organizations and
individuals in South Africa to join them in:

protest against unnecessary HIV deaths and police brutality
support for their constitutional rights to life, dignity,
freedom to demonstrate, equality and access to health care.
-----------------

Action requested

The sign on letter below will be sent to the following
South African officials:

Mr Charles Nqakula, Minister of Safety and Security
Dr Mantombazana Tshabalala-Msimang, Minister of Health
Ms Nosimo Balindlela, Premier of the Eastern Cape Province

It will be copied to TAC and to the Queenstown District AIDS Council.

We encourage churches and organizations to sign on to this
letter. This will be sent in time for our support to reach TAC for
their demonstration on Tuesday 26 July.

Therefore please send sign ons before Friday 22 July by email to
mailto:jblaylock@... jblaylock@...

with the name of your church or organization as you wish it to appear.

Your church or organization might also wish to issue a press release
expressing your concern about the incident and announcing
your protest to the South African government.

Urgent letter

Dear Minister,

As churches and faith organisations, we are deeply concerned to
hear of the incident in Queenstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa on
Tuesday 26 July, when police used rubber bullets, batons and tear
gas against unarmed, peaceful protestors asking for HIV treatment.
The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) demonstrators were calling
for the rapid expansion of the antiretroviral treatment programme
in the province. Many of the demonstrators were people
living with HIV. 54 people were injured.

As people of faith, we believe that everyone is created in the image
of God and we understand that the recognition of and respect for
the dignity of each person is the starting point for living out the
love of Christ in the world. All churches are living with or affected by HIV and
AIDS. We stand in solidarity with all those around the world living with HIV and
AIDS and we call for increasing access to treatment for people living with HIV
and AIDS.

HIV and AIDS know no boundaries. Those demonstrating on Tuesday
were taking action on behalf of their whole community and in
defense of their human right to have access to health services.
We join them in calling for full care, support and treatment access
for all HIV positive people and we deplore this use of violence
which we consider to be unjustifiable, unethical and immoral.

We ask that you:

investigate the police actions, and the role of the hospital management, and
take all appropriate disciplinary action; ensure that all members of the South
African Police Services are trained in good practice for policing demonstrations
in a manner consistent with the principles of minimum force and respect for
human life;
strive to provide universal access to treatment within South Africa;
issue a statement of apology to the demonstrators.

Consult the website for more information and ideas. If you can't find the
information you need, contact the EAA at

mailto:jblaylock@...

http://www.e-alliance.ch/