1987-2001: Activism

As the HIV epidemic continued to grow, battles were fought across several fronts to try to ensure that the people most affected and marginalised were kept at the heart of the HIV response and that their human rights were respected. Most notable was the fight for treatment options and access – a battle entrenched in stigma, corporate greed and political inaction.

The early AIDS movement was characterised by some successful campaigning and advocacy. In the 1980s this was led by groups of gay men in developed countries who lobbied for action from their governments to find ways to halt deaths in their communities.

In the late 1990s, the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) saw activists gain a new focus - pharmaceutical companies. Campaigners were now fighting to make treatment accessible for the world’s poorest people as well as those in rich nations.

Doha Declaration

World Trade Organization members confirm that the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS) agreement allows flexibility for compulsory licensing of HIV treatment.

Botswana highlights fears

“We are threatened with extinction. People are dying in chillingly high numbers. It is a crisis of the first magnitude.”
- President Festus Mogae of Botswana.

Generic drugs

Indian drug manufacturer Cipla offers $350 HIV treatment, raising pressure on pharmaceuticals to cut prices.

USA and Brazil pharma feud

US complains to the World Trade Organization about Brazil pressurising pharmaceutical companies to lower antiretroviral prices.

Durban AIDS conference

Amid AIDS denialism, the Durban AIDS conference highlights the huge disparity in access to treatment between developed and developing countries.

Nelson Mandela, Durban

“A tragedy of unprecedented proportions is unfolding in Africa. AIDS today in Africa is claiming more lives than the sum total of all wars, famines and floods, and the ravages of such deadly diseases as malaria.” – Nelson Mandela at the International AIDS Conference, Durban.

Nkosi Johnson

“We are normal. We have hands. We have feet. We can walk. We can talk. We have needs just like everyone else – don't be afraid of us – we are all the same!”
– 11-year old Nkosi Johnson, International AIDS Conference, Durban

Brazilian generics law

The Brazilian Government begins producing generic antiretroviral drugs, lowering the cost of HIV treatment.

Mbeki AIDS denialism

“We need to look at the question that is posed, understandably I suppose: does HIV cause AIDS? AIDS the acronym stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Now I do believe that is a sensible thing to ask: does one virus cause a syndrome? A virus cannot cause a syndrome. A virus will cause a disease.”
– Thabo Mbeki, President of South Africa, National Assembly, September 2000.

Treatment in Brazil

Fifteen antiretroviral drugs are available free of charge from the Ministry of Health in Brazil.

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