The NZ AIDS Foundation is calling for international condemnation of the actions of the South African police force, following the shooting and injuring of 40 people engaged in a peaceful protest demanding fair access to HIV treatment last week in the South African city of Queenstown. 40 people were injured and ten hospitalized for wounds when police fired teargas and rubber bullets into the demonstration. At least ten of the injured have HIV. Witnesses said the police fired without warning, and none of the protestors were arrested or charged with any crime. The protest was organised by members and supporters of TAC, the Treatment Action Campaign, who say less than ten per cent of those living with HIV in Queenstown are receiving the treatment they require. The New Zealand AIDS Foundation will lodge a strong protest at this inhumane treatment of people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS with the South African High Commission, and urges the Government of New Zealand to make a similar protest at diplomatic levels. "The beating and shooting by Government agents (the police) of people living with HIV/AIDS engaged in a peaceful protest should engender as much disgust and condemnation at that already being targeted at President Mugabe for his slum clearance programme in Zimbabwe," says the Foundation's Executive Director Rachael Le Mesurier. "We call upon the South African Government to immediately launch an inquiry into this incident and to condemn this unprovoked police action. The Foundation also supports the TAC campaign for fair, and equitable access to HIV information and treatment for all South Africans."