Every 25 seconds, another Every 25 seconds, another person in Africa is infected person in Africa is infected with HIV.with HIV.

AFRICAAFRICA

The FactsThe Facts Aids was first identified in the early 1980s, but the first case Aids was first identified in the early 1980s, but the first case

of the disease may have occurred much earlier - in Africa in of the disease may have occurred much earlier - in Africa in the late 1950s.the late 1950s.

Aids (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is a Aids (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is a weakening of the immune system by the human immune weakening of the immune system by the human immune deficiency virus, HIV. The sufferer loses the ability to fight deficiency virus, HIV. The sufferer loses the ability to fight infection, and may fall victim to illnesses such as infection, and may fall victim to illnesses such as pneumonia, diarrhea, and tumors.pneumonia, diarrhea, and tumors.

Aids kills some 6,000 people each day in Africa - more than Aids kills some 6,000 people each day in Africa - more than wars, famines and floods.wars, famines and floods.

FrighteningFrightening

AIDSAIDS

Most researchers believe humans acquired Aids from Most researchers believe humans acquired Aids from chimpanzees - which sometimes carry a similar virus - by eating chimpanzees - which sometimes carry a similar virus - by eating them or being bitten by them. A minority view holds that it was them or being bitten by them. A minority view holds that it was spread by a vaccine made from infected chimpanzee tissue.spread by a vaccine made from infected chimpanzee tissue.

There is no cure for Aids, and no vaccine to prevent infection with There is no cure for Aids, and no vaccine to prevent infection with HIV, but there are drugs that can slow down the spread of the HIV, but there are drugs that can slow down the spread of the virus and the rate at which it weakens the immune system. In virus and the rate at which it weakens the immune system. In some patients the virus has been reduced to undetectable levels.some patients the virus has been reduced to undetectable levels.

The HIV virus is transmitted in body fluids including blood, semen, The HIV virus is transmitted in body fluids including blood, semen, vaginal fluid and breast milk. It is most commonly passed on vaginal fluid and breast milk. It is most commonly passed on during sexual intercourse, shared use of hypodermic needles, or during sexual intercourse, shared use of hypodermic needles, or from mother to child. It can also be transmitted by blood infusion, from mother to child. It can also be transmitted by blood infusion, but not by ordinary social contact.but not by ordinary social contact.

The ProblemThe Problem

According to the UN, Aids is now the number one overall cause According to the UN, Aids is now the number one overall cause of death in Africa and is in fourth place among all causes of of death in Africa and is in fourth place among all causes of death worldwide. It's estimated that 2.8 million people died of death worldwide. It's estimated that 2.8 million people died of Aids in 1999.Aids in 1999.

Deaths from Aids have been falling in the richest countries Deaths from Aids have been falling in the richest countries thanks to effective drugs, but in many others the epidemic thanks to effective drugs, but in many others the epidemic continues. The UN estimates that Aids will kill more than one continues. The UN estimates that Aids will kill more than one third of young adults in some parts of Africa.third of young adults in some parts of Africa.

The Aids epidemic began in Africa, but in many cases The Aids epidemic began in Africa, but in many cases governments were slow to respond. The problem has been governments were slow to respond. The problem has been exacerbated by poverty, illiteracy, weak educational and exacerbated by poverty, illiteracy, weak educational and public health systems and the low social status of women.public health systems and the low social status of women.

Can you put a $ on a life?Can you put a $ on a life?

Simple humane support is needed in African Simple humane support is needed in African communities.communities.

The prices for these new drugs are more expensive in The prices for these new drugs are more expensive in Africa than any other country.Africa than any other country.

Should these billion dollar pharmaceutical companies Should these billion dollar pharmaceutical companies have the right to charge these prices? Is this ethical?have the right to charge these prices? Is this ethical?

What does this have to do What does this have to do with Human Rights?with Human Rights?

International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. Adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in 1966. Article 12, it is a Adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in 1966. Article 12, it is a right to everyone to enjoy "the highest attainable standard of right to everyone to enjoy "the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health." physical and mental health."

The protection and promotion of human rights is necessary both The protection and promotion of human rights is necessary both to protect the inherent dignity of persons affected by HIV/AIDS to protect the inherent dignity of persons affected by HIV/AIDS and to achieve the public health goals of reducing vulnerability to and to achieve the public health goals of reducing vulnerability to HIV infection, lessening the adverse impact of HIV/AIDS on those HIV infection, lessening the adverse impact of HIV/AIDS on those affected and empowering individuals and communities to affected and empowering individuals and communities to respond to HIV/AIDS.respond to HIV/AIDS.

The people of Africa are in and environment that does not The people of Africa are in and environment that does not educate about the spread of HIV/AIDS. The resources need to be educate about the spread of HIV/AIDS. The resources need to be sent there to educate the people and promote human rights of sent there to educate the people and promote human rights of education, and medicine so that many people should not have to education, and medicine so that many people should not have to die.die.

AfricaAfrica

Africa is an extremely Africa is an extremely heterogenous continent, and heterogenous continent, and human rights violations come human rights violations come in many forms as well. From in many forms as well. From

genocide, slavery, mass genocide, slavery, mass disappearances and torture, to disappearances and torture, to

denial of freedom of speech denial of freedom of speech and of the press.and of the press.

Africa StatsAfrica Stats

South Africa has one of the highest incidents of rape in South Africa has one of the highest incidents of rape in the worldthe world

In the home, it is estimated that one in three married In the home, it is estimated that one in three married women suffer domestic violencewomen suffer domestic violence

Women now make up 25 percent of legislators Women now make up 25 percent of legislators compared to the 3 percent figure during apartheid and compared to the 3 percent figure during apartheid and are aiming to raise their profile at next year's general are aiming to raise their profile at next year's general electionelection

In several countries,In several countries, including DRC, Zimbabwe, Kenya, including DRC, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Liberia, and Ethiopia, individual activists faced Liberia, and Ethiopia, individual activists faced intimidation, arrest, assault, and sometimes death for intimidation, arrest, assault, and sometimes death for their advocacy of human rights.their advocacy of human rights.

Africa StatsAfrica Stats

Maternal mortality rates averaged 606 per 100,000 live Maternal mortality rates averaged 606 per 100,000 live births over the period 1980-1992, as compared with 7 births over the period 1980-1992, as compared with 7 for the U.S. and 351 for all developing countries.for the U.S. and 351 for all developing countries.

Each year, an estimated 20 million unsafe abortions Each year, an estimated 20 million unsafe abortions occur. About 78,000 women, the vast majority of them occur. About 78,000 women, the vast majority of them in developing countries, die from the consequences of in developing countries, die from the consequences of unsafe abortion, and untold millions suffer severe health unsafe abortion, and untold millions suffer severe health effects.effects.

African women do face particularly great obstacles. African women do face particularly great obstacles. Adult female literacy in 1992 was only 45% in sub-Adult female literacy in 1992 was only 45% in sub-Saharan Africa, as compared to a 59% average for all Saharan Africa, as compared to a 59% average for all developing countriesdeveloping countries

Jails in DjiboutiJails in Djibouti

According to the information food is extremely According to the information food is extremely scarce, water is insufficient and there is no scarce, water is insufficient and there is no electricity. Cells are extremely cramped - electricity. Cells are extremely cramped - reportedly 2 metres by 2 metres. Although reportedly 2 metres by 2 metres. Although some inmates have serious medical conditions some inmates have serious medical conditions visits are limited to visit from a Doctor twice a visits are limited to visit from a Doctor twice a month. Moreover, it is alleged that they those month. Moreover, it is alleged that they those in need are being denied transfer to a hospital.in need are being denied transfer to a hospital.

News -SudanNews -Sudan

Crosswalk.com News Channel - Human Rights Crosswalk.com News Channel - Human Rights Watch of New York has asked the Sudanese Watch of New York has asked the Sudanese President Omar Hassan Bashir to intervene on President Omar Hassan Bashir to intervene on behalf of a pregnant young Dinka tribeswoman behalf of a pregnant young Dinka tribeswoman allegedly involved in adultery, now sentenced allegedly involved in adultery, now sentenced to death by stoning.to death by stoning.