the United Nations
20 April 2006
The Department of Health received a letter from the General Secretary of the
Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), Ms Sipho Mthathi, today declining the
invitation to be part of the country-delegation to the United Nations General
Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on HIV and AIDS.
The Department accepts her decision. We understand that her participation
was conditional to the inclusion of her organisation's ally, the AIDS Law
Project, in the country delegation.
However, we would like to correct some of the wrong assertions made in
Mthathi's letter to the Department. The invitation sent to Mthathi was
addressed to her as TAC office-bearer and does not make any reference to her
participation at the UNGASS as being on personal capacity.
Mthathi is also incorrect in concluding that the inability to include the
Wits University-based AIDS Law Project undermines the integrity of the country
delegation.
The United Nations resolution (Resolution A/RES/60/224) states that civil
society that may be invited include "associations of people living with HIV and
AIDS, non-governmental organisations including organisations of women and young
people, girls and boys and men, faith-based organisations, private sector and
representatives of labour.â
All the sectors listed in the United Nations resolution have representation
in the current delegation.
Enquiries:
Sibani Mngadi
Cell: 082 772 0161
Issued by: Department of Health
20 April 2006
