Protesters march at start of Bangkok AIDS conference

BANGKOK – Around 1,000 activists and protesters urged organisers of the world’s biggest ever AIDS conference yesterday to focus on providing cheaper treatment to more people.

Marking the opening day of the 15th International AIDS Conference in Bangkok, the demonstrators staged a sit-down protest outside the conference centre, waving placards saying “Access for All Denied” – a play on the meeting’s “Access for All” slogan. “The pharmaceutical companies have created a massive business out of people’s lives,” said Honduran activist Carlos Martel.”They must give better access to treatment.”Conference organisers Craig McClure and Joep Lange of the International Aids Society met protest leaders who petitioned them to get the world’s rich countries to make good on their promises of funding for AIDS treatment and projects.”We want to ask them to add their voice to the treatment of people and not to undermine it,” said Zacki Achmatt of Treatment Action Campaign South Africa.”We want them to add their voice to science and not to politics.”- Nampa-Reuters”The pharmaceutical companies have created a massive business out of people’s lives,” said Honduran activist Carlos Martel.”They must give better access to treatment.”Conference organisers Craig McClure and Joep Lange of the International Aids Society met protest leaders who petitioned them to get the world’s rich countries to make good on their promises of funding for AIDS treatment and projects.”We want to ask them to add their voice to the treatment of people and not to undermine it,” said Zacki Achmatt of Treatment Action Campaign South Africa.”We want them to add their voice to science and not to politics.”- Nampa-Reuters