"There is no reason why we have to continue to lose lives because of our inaction and our incompetence," Graca Machel, the wife of South African elder statesman Nelson Mandela, said after reading out a "Bangkok Leadership Statement" at the end of the 15th International Conference.

The statement was part of the leadership program of the conference, which brought together leaders of governments, AIDS programs, private sector, religion, science, voluntary groups, women, young people, gays, drug users, prostitutes and people living with HIV.

"We are ashamed that in 2004 some 38 million people are living with HIV/AIDS and fighting the same battles after two decades," the statement said.

"We recognize that we have not done enough to protect people from new infections. We have not done enough to provide access to affordable treatment. We have not done enough to combat stigma, unnecessary criminalization and discrimination," it said.

Some 5 million more people were infected last year and experts warn that 6 million people need urgent treatment or else they will die by 2005. Only about 440,000 people in the developing world are receiving treatment.

The Japan Times Weekly: July 24, 2004
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