NACO director acts when AIDS activits violated !

[Guest guest]

Dear Mr. Prasada Rao,

As a concerned citizen and AIDS activist I am writing to express my thanks and

appreceation at the concern that you have publicly expressed regarding what has

happened with VAMP and its activists.

In india the most vulnerable segments affected by HIV/AIDS are also culturally

and legally highly marginalised. This increases their vulnerability. When state

agencies actively violate their rights, it affect that vulnerability. In that

situation they look up to NACO as the apex body responsible for the prevention

of HIV/AIDS for support and strength. The reason is not far to seek. The NACO

policies are probably the only one in the entire corpus of law and policies,

that recognise the human rights of these vulnerable groups, and recognise the

human dignity of these groups. Also it is a fact that many NGOs are in the

activity of HIV prevention because of their having reposed faith NACO policies.

In that there is also a responsibility of NACO to come to their aid.

Under such a situation when something happens to impede the HIV/AIDS work with

such marginalised groups as CSW or MSM, a public statement of support from NACO

becomes a source of strength. But silence from NACO results in a feeling of

having been let down. While the former has a positive impact on HIV prevention,

the later sets back the progress made, sometimes maybe by years.

I again state that I appreceate the fact that in spite of your constraints, this

time you have chosen to break the silence. It is very courageous of you and will

surely have a positive effect on HIV/AIDS prevention work.

Regards

Aditya Bondyopadhyay

E-mail: <adit_bond@...>

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