Genocide Charge Laid against AIDS Activist

A charge of genocide has been laid against Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) head Zackie Achmat at the International Criminal Court, the Cape Argus reported on Thursday.

In the 59-page criminal complaint in the court in The Hague in The Netherlands, Achmat is accused of promoting the provision and use of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs to treat HIV.

The charge was laid by Cape Town advocate Anthony Brink of the Treatment Information Group (TIG).

The action is seen as the latest attack in the long-running battle between the TAC and its arch-rivals, who vehemently oppose the use of ARVs.

Brink admitted that he received funding from a foundation set up by the controversial Dr Matthias Rath, who favours vitamins for the treatment of Aids.

The TAC has been at the forefront of the battle to get the government to provide the drugs to HIV-positive people.