PRESS STATEMENT ON THE LAUNCH OF THE BOTSWANA HIVAND AIDS AND HUMAN RIGHTS CHARTER2009

LAUNCH OF THE THIRD EDITION OF THE BOTSWANA HIVAND AIDS AND HUMAN RIGHTS CHARTER

DITSHWANELO - The Botswana Centre for Human Rights launches the third edition of the Botswana HIV and AIDS and Human Rights Charter 2009 on 18th May 2009 at Gaborone Sun Hotel.  The third edition of the Charter will be officially launched by the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Honourable Baeledzi. Gaolathle.

The Botswana HIV and AIDS and Human Rights Charter was first published in 1995 by a joint project between DITSHWANELO and The Botswana Red Cross Society. It was revised in 2002. The revision of the second edition led to the third edition. This Charter “calls on all Botswana peoples: the government, the private sector, civil society, village elders and traditional healers to join hands and share the responsibility of challenging the spread of HIV and AIDS in our society.  Unity is needed.”  DITSHWANELO anticipates that this Charter will be “an advocacy tool” for the nation.

The revision and republication of this Charter is supported by the Swedish Embassy through Forum Syd.  The revision of the Charter is one phase of a project which encompasses national outreach and education on HIV and AIDS prevention, treatment, care and mitigation of the impact of HIV and AIDS using a rights based approach.

DITSHWANELO continues to maintain that a rights based approach is the most effective tool for dealing with the HIV epidemic. This Charter focuses on rights and related responsibilities with its theme being “Our Rights – Our Responsibilities, Equal Rights – Equal Responsibilities.” 

DITSHWANELO remains concerned that despite the national rollout and availability of Anti Retroviral Therapy and other initiatives for people infected and affected by HIV and AIDS, some People Living with HIV and AIDS continue to lead lives devoid of dignity. DITSHWANELO urges Batswana to use this Charter to promote the respect for and protection of human rights, thereby promoting dignity and self-esteem for all persons.

18 May 2009
Gaborone

For more information, please contact DITSHWANELO – The Botswana Centre for Human Rights at Tel: 267 390 6998 Fax: 267 3907778, Website: www.ditshwanelo.info.bw, Email:admin.ditshwanelo@info.bw/ditshwanelo-myfuturetoday@info.org.bw