Press Room

Latest Press Releases

07 June 2010
BONELA Commends NAC on Tolerance of MSM Issue

The Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA), expresses sincere gratitude to the manner in which the National AIDS Council (NAC) dealt with the issues brought to the fore through its presentation of findings of a 2008 study on Men who have sex with other men (MSM) on Friday 4 June 2010.[+]

04 June 2010
BONELA AND FRANCISTOWN DMSAC TO HOLD HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN

The Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA) in partnership with the Francistown District Multi-sectoral AIDS Committee (DMSAC) will hold a Human Rights and HIV/AIDS promotional campaign on Saturday the 12th of June 2010 in Francistown. This promotion dubbed “the bash” will commence with a March at 8.00am from Tati Police Station and culminate in a Ceremony at Galo Mall.[+]

31 May 2010
BONELA Applauds Pardon of Malawian Gay Couple

The Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA) would like to commend the release of a gay couple earlier sentenced to 14 years imprisonment through presidential pardon by the President of Malawi, Mr. Bingu wa Mutarika.[+]

19 May 2010
BONELA Commends NACA on Inclusion of Sexual Minorities at Conference

The Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA) highly commends the National AIDS Coordinating Agency (NACA) on its inclusion of organizations working on sexual minority issues at the ongoing second National HIV/AIDS/STI and other Related Infectious Diseases Research Conference (NHASORC).[+]

30 April 2010
BONELA Calls for Employee-Friendly Laws as World Commemorates Labour Day

The Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA) joins the public in commemorating Labour Day in celebration of the contribution that workers make as the backbone of many economies worldwide.[+]

07 April 2010
BONELA Calls for Access to ARVs for Foreign Inmates and Refugees as World Commemorates Health Day

The Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA) joins the world today in commemorating World Health Day 2010 which will this year focus on urbanization and health.[+]

02 March 2010
BONELA given greenlight to present groundbreaking sexual minorities and HIV/AIDS study findings at National AIDS Council

The Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA) is thrilled to announce that it has finally been given permission to make its groundbreaking presentation at the National AIDS Council (NAC) on findings of an assessment of access to health services by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans-gendered community as well as a study on men who have sex with men (MSM) in May this year.[+]

BONELA Calls for Urgent Enactment of HIV and AIDS Employment Law

The Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA) is once again compelled to urge the Government of Botswana to enact an HIV/AIDS Employment Law as a matter of urgency in line with international trends that recognize that HIV/AIDS in the workplace has become a common cause.[+]

26 February 2010
Bonela hosts Visibility and Human Rights March for marginalized populations

The Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA) and her partners will hold a visibility and human rights for marginalized and most at risk populations (MARPS) march themed ‘Silent but not Mute’ on Saturday the 27th of March 2010 from 0700hrs to 1000hrs from Notwane Grounds to Riverwalk Shopping Mall in Gaborone.[+]

22 February 2010
Bonela appoints new Director

The Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA) has appointed Uyapo Ndadi as its substantive director. This was announced by BONELA’s former director and founder, Ms. Christine Stegling at a press conference held on the 19th of February 2009 in Gaborone, Botswana.[+]

Press Releases 2009

23 October 2009
BONELA and Boteti Sub-Disctrict to hold TB/HIV Awareness Raising March

The Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV and AIDS (BONELA) in partnership with the District Health Team for Boteti Sub-District invites, health service providers, people living with HIV and AIDS, the media, civil society organizations and other concerned individuals to an awareness-raising march on tuberculosis (TB) on Friday the 30th of October 2009 in Letlhakane, Boteti. [+]

05 October 2009
Mayor Mothei is Right: BONELA

The Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV and AIDS (BONELA) has read with keen interest the article carried by the Daily News of Tuesday 29 October 2009 in which Mayor Harry Mothei is urging government to provide prisoners with condoms. [+]

29 September 2009
BONELA Sets Legal Precedent in Wrong Diagnosis Case

The Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV and AIDS (BONELA) has read with keen interest the article carried by the Daily News of Tuesday 29 October 2009 in which Mayor Harry Mothei is urging government to provide prisoners with condoms. [+]

21 September 2009
BONELA Launches Campaign for 2009 World AIDS Day Commemorations

The Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA) officially launches its campaign geared towards raising awareness on the World AIDS Day commemorations this week, which for the first time ever, has a human rights theme. The organization has embraced and fully welcomed the decision by the World AIDS Campaign to make this year’s World AIDS Day commemorations revolve around human rights and how they improve universal access. [+]

18 September 2009
BONELA: Press Statement

The Acting Director of BONELA, Mr. Uyapo Ndadi is scheduled to leave Botswana today as part of a group of individuals invited to visit the United States from the 19th of September to the 10th of October under the auspices of the International Visitor Leadership Program in honour of their outstanding achievements to date and their prospects of achieving more in the future of their countries. [+]

3 July 2009
BONELA wins case on unlawful disclosure of one’s HIV status

On Friday 26th June 2009, the Lobatse High Court ordered one Sadi Nokane, to pay Obakeng Madubela , who was represented by BONELA Legal Officer Mr. Uyapo Ndadi (now Acting Director) to pay P7 000.00 as damages for publication of otherwise confidential information about Madubela HIV status. [+]

29 April 2009
BONELA to lose Director to International Organization

The Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV and AIDS (BONELA) would like to announce the resignation of its Executive Director, Ms. Christine Stegling. Ms. Stegling will join the International HIV/AIDS Alliance as the Senior Advisor: Human Rights and People Living with HIV/AIDS Involvement in Brighton in the United Kingdom.[+]

25 March 2009
Bonela Slams Tati Customary court President's Utterances on Marital Rape

The Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV and AIDS (BONELA) strongly condemns recent statements made by the Tati Town Customary Court President Margaret Ludo Mosojane as reported in The Monitor of 23 March 2009 in which she alleged that young women were hoodwinking men into paying maintenance money by allowing themselves to get pregnant. [+]

23 March 2009
Ministry of Health to receive Bonela TB Advocacy Document at World TB Day Commemoration

The Honorouble Minster of Health Lesego Motsumi will receive a tuberculosis (TB)/HIV advocacy document from the Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV and AIDS (BONELA) at 2pm tomorrow (24 March 2009) at the Ministry of Health Building. This presentation will be a culmination of a march organized by BONELA in commemoration of World TB Day in line with the organisation’s TB campaign. [+]

19 March 2009
BONELA to hold Awareness_Raising March on World TB Day

The Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV and AIDS (BONELA) invites, health service providers, people living with HIV and AIDS, the media, civil society organizations and other concerned individuals to an awareness-raising march on tuberculosis (TB) on Tuesday 24 March 2009. The march which will coincide with World TB Day commemorations is part of BONELA’s ongoing TB campaign. [+]

16 March 2009
BONELA Dismisses Siele’s Statement on Access to Condoms by Prisoners

On Sunday 15th March 2009, the esteemed Minister of Labour and Home affairs was heard and seen on Botswana Television saying that whilst touring prisons, no inmate  had  come forth and him to provide condoms in prisons. [+]

9 February 2009
BONELA Condemns Recent Cases of Domestic Violence

The Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV and AIDS (BONELA) condemns the recent spate of domestic violence over the past two weeks in Botswana as reported in the media. [+]

5 February 2009
BONELA APPLAUDS Formation of Legal Aid Service and Law Reform Agency

The Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV and AIDS (BONELA) would like to applaud the Government of Botswana for the much needed legal aid service and Law Reform Agency that were recently instituted in the country. [+]

29 January 2009
Needs Assessment Report on the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered community in Botswana - Summary

BONELA’s Prevention Research Initiative for Sexual Minorities (PRISM) programme recently produced a Needs Assessment Report on the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered community in Botswana. [+]

13 January 2009
BONELA Applauds Government for Passing Public Service Act

The Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA) appreciates and is highly encouraged by the passing of the Public Service Act of 2008 by the Parliament of Botswana on the 11th of December 2008 which was assented to by the President of Botswana, H. E. Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama on the 26th of December 2008. [+]

2008

02 December 2008
BONELA Demands Enactment of Law not Policy on HIV and the Workplace

The Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA) is disappointed by comments made in Parliament recently by the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Mr. Peter Siele, to the effect that his ministry is still in the process of consulting relevant stakeholders in pursuit of the formulation of a policy on HIV and the workplace. [+]

12 November 2008
Prisoner Sues Government for Denial of Timeous Life Saving Medical Tests and Drugs

The Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA) will tomorrow sue the Attorney General in her capacity as the government representative and the Commissioner of Prisoners for P500 000.00 on behalf of Hendrick Moreetsi, a prisoner currently incarcerated at First Offenders Prison in Gaborone. [+]

10 November 2008
BONELA is concerned by reports that children are dying due to failure to access health services in Mokubilo

Health care is a basic human right and the Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA) is concerned by reports that children are dying due to failure to access health services in Mokubilo, a village 100 kilometers east of Orapa in the Boteti sub-district. [+]

21 October 2008
High Court Orders Princess Marina Hospital Doctors to Give Evidence

Yesterday, Justice Lesetedi of the Lobatse High Court ordered the Princess Marina Hospital doctors to give sworn evidence in a case involving our client Minkie Nkobi and the Ministry Of Works and Transport. [+]

16 October 2008
Government Driver Unlawfully Retired on the Basis of a Wrong Medical Board Exam

The Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA) is suing on behalf of Minki Nkobi the Attorney General and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works and Transport in a matter to be heard before Justice Lesetedi on Monday 20 October 2008 at the Lobatse High Court at 8.30 am. [+]

12 September 2008
Landmark Case of Wrong HIV Diagnosis Postponed

The High Court case for Kgakgamatso Sekgabetlela represented by the Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA) has been postponed to Friday 19th September 2008 at Lobatse High Court at 9.30 am. Renowned lawyer and human rights activist who is also the chairperson of BONELA, Duma Boko will represent BONELA’s client. [+]

12 September 2008
BONELA ’S EFFORTS ON SIBANDA YIELD FRUIT: Sibanda to get Medical Assistance in Zimbabwe

The Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA’s) efforts have yielded fruit as international organizations have responded to calls by BONELA to provide treatment in the interest of safeguarding public health for Mthandazo Sibanda, a Multi-drug Resistant Tuberculosis patient who was deported from Botswana to Zimbabwe last week. [+]

08 September 2008
Immigration Puts Batswana and Zimbabweans at Risk as it Dumps MDR TB Patient at Plumtree Border

The Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA) is deeply aggrieved by reports that Mthandazo Sibanda who has multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) was dumped at Plumtree Border by the Botswana Immigration department on Friday the 5th of September 2008 to find his way home. [+]

04 September 2008
Patient Faces Death as National Laboratory Denies Requisite Test for Antiretroviral Therapy Enrollment

The Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA) is alarmed at a sad reality emerging where people who require a Liver Function Test (LFT), a prerequisite test for enrolling on Antiretroviral Treatment are being denied assistance by National Laboratory at Princess Marina Hospital, where machinery at their local clinics is not functional. [+]

02 September 2008
Sibanda Withdraws Deportation Appeal: Need for Government to Investigate Medical Malpractice

The Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA) would like to announce the withdrawal from the Village Magistrates’ Court the Appeal on Mthandazo Sibanda’s deportation. Whilst it was with shock and dismay that the organization learnt of this development, it respects Mr. Sibanda’s decision. [+]

28 August 2008
Botswana Government Admits to Negligence in Case of Wrong HIV Diagnosis

The Botswana Government has admitted to negligence in a case involving Kgakgamatso Sekgabetlela represented by the Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA) and the state for a wrong HIV diagnosis. The case was heard before Justice Dr. Key Dingake on Thursday 28th of August 2008 at Lobatse High Court. [+]

26 August 2008
Settlement reached in Mthandazo Sibanda Landmark Case

A settlement was reached today at the High Court in the case where Mthandazo Sibanda was seeking to be reinstated on medication for Multi-drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR TB). Following recommendation by the High court, the two parties agreed to settle outside court, where they agreed that Mr. Sibanda would be reinstated on medication pending judgement on the appeal of his deportation to Zimbabwe. [+]

5 August 2008
BONELA Celebrates Victory for HIV Infected Employee at the Industrial Court

Today, the Industrial Court handed out a heavy judgment against an employer who discriminated against an employee who revealed his HIV status to the said employer. [+]

07 May 2008
BONELA disturbed by the inadequate national response to the TB crisis

BONELA is extremely disturbed by the unacceptable degree of the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic in Botswana, and the inadequate national response to this crisis. According to 2005 World Health Organization estimates, Botswana has the fifth highest rate of new cases of tuberculosis in the world. [+]

11 March 2008
Why Botswana needs an HIV Employment Law - not a policy.

Gaborone - BONELA read with keen interest a cover story on the Sunday Standard March 9-15, 2008 with the headline, “Job seekers tested for AIDS without their knowledge”. BONELA is disturbed by this story and in particular such workplace practices. [+]

13 February 2008
Civil Society organizations commend the Parliament of Botswana for passing the Domestic Violence Bill

Gaborone - BONELA and the Kagisano Society Women’s Shelter Project (KWSP) are happy that the Domestic Violence Bill (2007) has been tabled and passed by Parliament. [+]

2007

3 December 2007
BONELA holds its annual general meeting

Gaborone - On Friday, December 7th at the Boipuso Hall in Gaborone, BONELA will be holding its Annual General Meeting - AGM. The meeting will start at 3pm until 7pm. This years’ theme "Turning up the volume - amplifying community voices" is a deliberate effort by BONELA to emphasize, acknowledge and advance ‘the peoples’ voice’ in the response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Botswana. [+]

30 November 2007
International coalition demands that governments adopt human rights protections in HIV Efforts

Gaborone - More than 30 leading AIDS organizations from around the world including, BONELA have called for a major shift in the global response to HIV/AIDS, by issuing an unprecedented joint declaration on the need to put legal and human rights protections at the center of HIV efforts. [+]

26 November 2007
Civil society groups call for the strengthening of the Domestic Violence Bill

The Domestic Violence Bill of 2007 has been tabled at Parliament. However, certain aspects of profound importance have not been included in this draft Bill. [+]

14 September 2007
BONELA continues to urge government to enact legislation to protect the rights of HIV positive workers

Gaborone - On Friday - 9am, 14 September 2007, at the Maharaja Conference Centre in Gaborone, a coalition comprising of BONELA and its partners in the civil society, represented here by the umbrella body of Botswana trade unions - The Botswana Federation of Trade Unions (BFTU) - will be handing over the HIV Employment Law petition to the Honourable Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Mr. Charles Tibone. [+]

17 August 2007
BONELA releases report on the sexual and reproductive health rights of women living with HIV

Gaborone - In 2006 BONELA was alarmed by public comments made by an Honourable Member of Parliament who was quoted saying that he is concerned by HIV positive women who continue to fall pregnant and contribute to the spread of HIV/AIDS. [+]

22 June 2007
BONELA commends Mmegi Monitor

BONELA commends Mmegi Monitor for their efforts to provide the public with critical information, but cautions against sensationalism which may cause unnecessary panic. [+]

16 February 2007
BONELA seminar to discuss HIV/AIDS prevention in Botswana prisons

GABORONE - BONELA will host a one-day seminar aimed at raising stakeholders’ awareness of the importance of HIV/AIDS prevention in prisons. The event will be held at Maharaja Conference Centre on Tuesday, 20 February 2007 at 8:00a.m. [+]

31 January 2007
HIV/AIDS organisations frustrated by Botswana’s lack of management of Global Fund grant

GABORONE—Four major HIV/AIDS network organisations are dismayed by events surrounding the possible
withdrawal of the remaining US$9.5 million (54 million pula) of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria grant for Botswana. [+]

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Media requests for more information on any of the following may be made to BONELA’s Media Officer at (+267) 393-2516 or media@bonela.org

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