African AIDS activist
From: Paul Canning <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
WE CONDEMN THE MURDER OF GUGU DLAMINI,
SOUTH AFRICAN AIDS ACTIVIST WOMAN LIVING WITH HIV
Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Precedence: bulk
The New York Times recently reported the death of Gugu Dlamini
in South Africa. A 36-year-old mother of a son, Gugu died last
December 22 as a result of the beating she received by neighbors
in her own home. They had accused her of having brought shame to
their community (Kwamashu, in the outskirts of Durban) after she
openly revealed on December 1 --World AIDS Day-- that she was
infected with HIV.
Gugu worked as a volunteer for the National Association of People
Living With HIV/AIDS (NAPWA) of South Africa. According to the
United Nations, three million people in South Africa have the
infection. In KwaZulu-Natal, the province most affected by the
illness, and where Gugu lived, up to 30 percent of the adult
population lives with HIV/AIDS.
On Monday December 21, Gugu was physically attacked by a man, who
ordered her to keep silent like other people living with HIV/AIDS.
Although she requested help from the police, they didn't do
anything, according to reports made by her friends to the local
newspaper. That same night, a group tore down her house and Gugu
was brutally stoned and hit with sticks. She died the following
day.
In spite of the scourge of the epidemic in South Africa, people
living with HIV/AIDS are afraid to reveal their condition due to
the hostility they know they will have to face.
The murder of Gugu Dlamini not only shows the profound
discrimination that people living with HIV/AIDS suffer in many
countries. It is also a reflection of the flagrant violence that
primarily affects women around the world, both inside and outside
their homes, without assistance from authorities when this is
requested.
The members of the VeIHache electronic forum condemn the cruel
murder of Gugu Dlamini and all the forms of violence and
discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS.
We call on all organizations that work in AIDS and those that are
sensitive to this cause, to:
1. Express solidarity with the National Association of People
Living With HIV/AIDS of South Africa, sending messages of
support and condolences in English to:
� Peter Busse <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Director, NAPWA
2. Write to the authorities of South Africa condemning this
despicable crime and the police indifference to the necessity
of protecting Gugu Dlamini's life.
We suggest sending to:
� Manto Tshabalala-Msimang <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Deputy Minister of Justice
the following message:
�I/We condemn the murder of Gugu Dlamini, who was courageously
living with HIV/AIDS and was brutally killed by her neighbors
in the community of Kwamashu, in KwaZulu-Natal, without the
benefit of any assistance from local police in spite of her
request for help.�
Please include the following information:
[Name]
[Organization]
[Country]
and copy the message to Peter Busse / NAPWA <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
3. Send this message to other people.
Thank you for your solidarity!
THE �VeIHache� ELECTRONIC FORUM
E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
end
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