Re: Orissa: Woman killed because husband had AIDS/ Reaction from Australia

October 30, 2004

Dear Forum members.

The report carried by India News, and republished via e FORUM, that

a woman in Orissa was allegedly burnt to death this week by relatives who

feared she'd been infected with AIDS from her husband who died 6 months ago is

received with both horror and revulsion here in Australia.

It tells the world that despite its overwhelming HIV/AIDS infections, India has

yet to confront the twin monsters of stigma and discrimination that so fuels

this dreadful pandemic.

To burn anyone alive is an appalling crime that indicts humanity and any society

that lets it pass unpunished.

Australia asks India: " who will bother to ensure the safety of the woman's

children or are their lives also considered immaterial? "

Has NACO quite abandoned its role and responsibilites?

We understand that the Group of Ministers only this week decided on the need to

produce a National Action Plan to prevent a rise in the infection rate that

already has India' registering the second highest rate after South Africa...and

that State Education Ministers would be involved with a view to having the

subject of HIV/AIDS included in the curriculum.

For those outside India, looking in...one can only bleed at the ongoing HIV/AIDS

tragedy convulsing your country.

Vitally and immediately, we can only wait and hope, to see if you have the

national compassion to respond to the critical needs of the family of the

reportedly murdered woman.

Please don't let the opportunity simply evaporate.

Haill,

The Australian AIDS Fund Inc.,

Melbourne, Australia

E-mail: <bhaill@...>

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