Press Releases

October 26, 2003

CHINA'S APPROACH TO HIV/AIDS AT ALL LEVELS MUST GO HAND-IN-HAND WITH PRESERVING HUMAN RIGHTS

Amsterdam, July 24, 2003 - Networks of people living with HIV/AIDS demand China implement a sound and humane approach to the epidemic. According to UNAIDS 1.5 million people in China are HIV+, and the number could reach 10 million by 2010.

In the 1980s and 1990s Chinese farmers sold blood in unsanitary blood stations to supplement their incomes, and many are thought to have contracted HIV as a result. There are some signs the Chinese government has an interest in working toward improving access to treatment for HIV/AIDS. Nevertheless, the highly publicized events in the village of Xionggiao in Henan province are another red flag the approach to HIV/AIDS in China remains unacceptable. On June 22nd, 500 to 600 police officers and hired thugs beat farmers, attacked their homes, and arrested perhaps as many as sixteen people in a suspected act of retribution for a confrontation between farmers and local authorities some days earlier. Villagers were fighting to receive their meager monthly government allowance for AIDS patients and other promised financial assistance; 700 of the 3,000 Xionggiao residents are HIV positive, and 400 have AIDS.

According to reports, confrontations between farmers and local authorities over medicine and financial relief have been regular occurrences in various Chinese villages where HIV/AIDS has had a heavy impact. In an incident in May, police prevented villagers from having access to visiting World Health Organization officials. Other gross mishandlings of the HIV epidemic include the firing of Dr. Wan Yanhai from his post at the Ministry of Health for speaking about sexual minorities and HIV transmission risk, and his subsequent arrest in August 2002. Dr. Wan had been accused of "revealing state secrets" for rendering public a government research report on the aforementioned faulty blood collection practices. According to Agence France Presse, he was released with a warning about a month after his arrest, in exchange for confession to his crime, a written apology, and agreement to cooperate with the police.

The Global Network of People living with HIV/AIDS (GNP+) and its affiliated group, the Asia/Pacific Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (APN+), warn that while aggression toward people living with HIV/AIDS is clearly inhumane it is also unsound public health policy: It drives the epidemic further underground by creating fear and reinforcing stigma and discrimination, and thus fuels spread of HIV. "China's approach to HIV/AIDS at all levels must go hand-in-hand with preserving human rights. A paradigm shift is needed. China must place care and support of people living with HIV/AIDS and fighting stigma and discrimination at the core of its response.", emphasized APN+ Board member and activist, Ms. Chia.

For interviews and further information please contact:
Mr. Stuart Flavell
International Coordinator
Global Network of People living with HIV/AIDS (GNP+)
+31.(0)20.423.4114 (Tel)
+31.(0)20.423.4224 (Fax)
E-mail: ic@gnpplus.net

Issued by:
Jennifer M. Bushee
Communications Coordinator
Global Network of People living with HIV/AIDS (GNP+)
P.O. Box 11726
1001 GS Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Telephone: +31.(0)20.423.4114
Fax: +31.(0)20.423.4224
E-mail: news@gnpplus.net
Visit our website at www.gnpplus.net