Re: Forced testing - Appeal for support to seek justice

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends and supporters,

Re: /message/11936

Greetings from present and former members of Suraksha and Sadhane!

This mail is regarding forced HIV testing of Sadhane and Suraksha staff members.

KSAPS team visited Suraksha Chennapatana DIC on 3rd Sept 2010 and we are waiting

for their report.

Sadhane is a community organisation of Sexual Minorities and PLHIV Sex Workers

community formed in 2006 and registered during 2007.

Sadhane got the HIV prevention program funding with the support of KHPT through

US-AID INDIA. This project was awarded to Sadhane as Suraksha agreed to support

program implementation.

Suraksha was implementing the Sadhane program, and an executive Director of

Suraksha and Sadhane was appointed. Initially there weren't many issues.

Gradually, Sadhane Board and staff experienced discomfort with Suraksha since

they were not involved either in important decision making or in terms of the

programme.

Whenever any doubt or clarification is raised by Sadhane Board members, there

was no proper response. The Board members role was limited only to signing

cheques. Making Sadhane staff to undergo HIV test was an important decision

taken by her which was either not discussed or brought to the notice of Sadhane

Board members.

Suraksha is an NGO formed in order to provide awareness on health and sanitation

issues to the slum dwellers in urban Bangalore. Later during (2002 - 04) with

the financial support of KSAPS, they implemented HIV-AIDS prevention program in

Kamalanagar slums of Bangalore.

From the year 2004 till date, Suraksha is implementing HIV prevention program

with the financial support from KHPT through BMGF in Bangalore rural, Ramanagar

and Dharwad districts of Karnataka working with 3000 FSW and 3000 Sexual

Minorities in these districts.

Suraksha along with Sangama was providing support to Samara, Sadhane, Karnataka

Sex Workers Union and Karnataka Sexual Minorities Forum (community

organisations) in their districts when Mr. Elavarthi Manohar was the Executive

Director of the organisation.

Later when the new Director of Suraksha took charge, the space for the community

organisation has gradually decreased because of various instances. Community

members, staff and non community staff experienced lots of discomfort and

rudeness with the Director.

There was lack of support from her side both in terms of programme and to help

the community collectives . Forced HIV testing is also one of the vital reason

for which staff and ex staff members are fighting for justice.

Sadhane being a PLHIV Human Rights Organisation, the Board will provide its

complete support to the current staff and ex staff members of Suraksha and

Sadhane to fight against this severe Human Rights violation.

For more details kindly contact: Manjesh - Ex staff Suraksha (095917 25003),

Karishma - Present staff Suraksha (099005 11304), Mahesh Patil - Ex staff

Suraksha (095351 44614)

Kindly support us.

In solidarity,

Manjesh

Community Spokes person

Staff and ex-staff members Sadhane and Suraksha

e-mail: <sadhanekarnataka@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear all,

Re: /message/11936

HIV testing of staff of the NGO Sadhane and Suraksha with out their consent is a

bad move. I am go with the voice of the staffs.

If the incident in true and the NGO do HIV testing ontheir staff without the

consent of the staff, I am very much

concerned of their quality of work with marginalized community.

Will they respect the Human rights of the Community they work with?

R.Raju

e-mail: <raj5053@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear All,

Re: /message/11936

The forced testing is a major push coming from NACO and NGOs are being

evaluated on the basis of the testing that they have successfully referred.

It is part of their evaluation. There would be a need for NGOs and

communities to join hands together and fight this.

I am not against testing since it has many benefits but no one should be forced

against their will.

Regards

Sasi

Sasi Kumar

e-mail: <sasiontheweb@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear all,

 

NGO's are fighting against each other (For MONEY and position)  and some of the

NGO's are governed by Officers of SACS. Cheque is signed by their(officers)

cousin/Wife and things moving well.

Such NGO's got award from here and there for " BEST PRACTICE " and for good

practice

 

Former members of Suraksha and Sadhane!- may be right or wrong

 

More fund is pouring in HIV AIDS SECTOR than any other sector

 

More fund towards a social project will attarct MONEY LOOTERS

 

The above problem can controlable only through stoppage of extara money

 

Regards

 

Ajith

Ajith Kuamr M

Mobile +91-9447168748

e-mail: <ajith_karamana@...>