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. [+]

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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