Police shooting of AIDS protesters by South African police

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) today expressed its profound outrage over the unprovoked attack -- including what is believed to be the first-ever police shooting of AIDS protesters anywhere worldwide -- by South African police on AIDS activists conducting a peaceful protest.

Protesters were demonstrating to ensure that people with HIV/AIDS receive antiretroviral treatment at a Queenstown hospital and throughout the Eastern Cape region in South Africa. On July 12, the South African Police Services in Queenstown brutally assaulted and then opened fire on unarmed, peaceful protesters from the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) asking for HIV treatment. Forty people were injured and ten were treated for gunshot wounds -- a shocking display of police brutality believed to be a first in the 25-year history of AIDS activism and advocacy.

"We completely condemn this unprecedented and violent police action against the people of South Africa who were simply asking for life-saving AIDS treatment," said Michael Weinstein, AHF's President in a statement from London. "As the only American anti-retroviral treatment provider operating in South Africa for nearly four years, we know firsthand that treatment equals life -- and treatment successes -- are indeed possible. We also know and believe that the voices of the people must be heard, and that treatment, not bullets, will stop AIDS in South Africa."

"We saw the visuals on the news last night. The unprovoked police brutality was shocking and disturbing -- reminiscent of the apartheid era force used to quell public protest," said a patient and AIDS advocate from AHF's Ithembalabantu Clinic, who requested anonymity due to concerns over this recent violence and violation of human rights.

According to a press statement from South Africa's Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), "Forty people were injured and ten were treated for gunshot wounds. One person, Pumla Xesha had to be admitted to hospital. At least ten of the injured people were people who live openly with HIV/AIDS. The majority of the protesters were women. At no stage was there violence, threat of violence or any form of provocation. No warning to disperse was issued as is required by law. After the assault, as people ran away, the police opened fire with firearms and then used teargas."

The Eastern Cape Treatment Access Campaign office and other activists had organized the protest after more than six months of unsuccessful negotiations with the provincial and local health authorities on several treatment access issues.

"AHF stands in solidarity with TAC and all treatment activists in South Africa in the fight for access to AIDS care and ARV treatment as a basic human right," added AHF's Weinstein. AHF currently treats more than 1,000 people with life-saving treatment at its Ithembalabantu Clinic in Umlazi Township, Durban, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. "More than 21 percent of all South African adults are now infected with HIV. AHF is ready and willing to work together to expand access to life-saving treatment and to help in any way we can."