From: rastern@sol.racsa.co.cr Date: Sun, 1 Jun 1997 16:38:49 -0600 (CST) Subject: COSTA RICAN HUMAN RIGHTS VICTORY News from Triangulo Rosa For immediate release: 1 June, 1997 COSTA RICAN HUMAN RIGHTS VICTORY! In a major human rights victory, Costa Rica´s Supreme Court ruled on Friday that the "Calderon Guardia" hospital, one of the largest here, has discriminated illegally against AIDS victims for over 10 years by refusing to provide laborary services for them. Patients had previously been forced to seek lab testing at private laboratories. As recently as last month, the laboratory´s Director, Dr. Fonseca Briseño was quoted in a major daily newspaper as saying that he would continue this policy in spite of the fact that the hospital´s own Director had asked him to change it. The ruling also indicated that the 500 AIDS patients affected are entitled to seek damages from the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) the government Agency that provides the socialized health care here. A Costa Rican legislator Antonio Alvarez DeSanti, had placed the complaint before the Supreme Court last September. De Santi indicated that the court´s ruling "ends one of the most horrible chapters in the history of human rights violations in our country." Richard Stern, Health Coordinator of the gay/lesbian AsociacionTriangulo Rosa, praised the decision and said that "we are very happy about this landmark ruling. Gays, lesbians and all people affected by AIDS deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. It is incredible that it was necessary for the Supreme Court to remind this government of its responsibility to safeguard the rights of all patients in the health care system. But since it was necessary, we hope that a new outlook in human rights consciousness will now prevail in Costa Rican health care. Dr. Briseño´s public statements continued to fuel the flames of prejudice here, and now he will be silenced." Guillermo Murillo, Coordinator of Triangulo Rosa´s patient empowerment program indicated that "this is a decision that has come too late to help the many patients who have already died. But it is an important decision to insure that our rights as People Living with AIDS, will be protected." The nation´s largest daily newspaper LA NACION has provided extensive coverage in recent days of this ruling as well as the issue of access to treatment for people with AIDS. In Costa Rica, retroviral medications are not provided, although pregnant women receive AZT, only until they give birth. Triangulo Rosa is now promoting a formal mediation process between the CCSS and various patient groups to try to resolve the medication situation. If this does not succeed, a formal appeal will be filed with the Supreme Court. For MORE INFORMATION Asocación Triangulo Rosa Apartado 1619-4050 Alajuela, Costa Rica Tel: 506-223-1370 Fax. 506-234-2411 e-mail: rastern@sol.racsa.co.cr atrirosa@sol.racsa.co.cr homepage: www.indiana.edu/~arenal/TR