卡梅隆和艾滋病共生 从白皮肤穷小子到维权斗士
2009年03月16日15:41 来源：南方人物周刊 作者：邓郁
卡梅隆 和艾滋病共生
如果病人可以得到像我一样成功的药物治疗，HIV对寿命就没有直接的影响。
我想我能活到70、75，也许80岁
1997年10月21日早晨，从高等法院的公共休息室走向自己的办公室时，平时不费力气的两层楼梯成了南非法官埃德温•卡梅隆（Edwin Cameron）的生理极限：
我的所有体力都在两腿间耗光了，大汗淋漓。肺腔里好像也注满了水，口干舌燥。没有痛感，只有挥之不去的疲劳。
还有恐惧。
这是卡梅隆在自传体著作《艾滋证人》中的追忆。
靠在墙边休息时，对自己的身体了如指掌的卡梅隆知道，一刻也不能拖了，下午他就得去找医生。尽管医生将要告诉他什么他心知肚明——在他体内潜伏多年的艾滋病毒发作了。
“我在此宣布我是艾滋病人”
1986年，一次同性性接触使年轻的卡梅隆感染了HIV病毒。那一年12月19日下午3点，医生给他打来了电话。通话时间很短，消息却是令人震惊的。卡梅隆感到愤怒：“没有预兆，没有计划，没有要求，也没有征得我的同意，对这样一个突如其来的致命打击我毫无准备。……他好歹也该斟酌一番，怎么样让我知道、让我接受才比较合适。”
那晚，他独自去了约翰内斯堡闹市区的一间酒吧。他想买醉，却只换来无比清晰的刺痛感。他从未觉得自己如此无力。
1980年代，人类刚刚发现艾滋病，视之为不治之症。33岁、前程似锦的南非人埃德温•卡梅隆就这样被“宣判”了。“我要死了”——他摆脱不了这个念头。漫长的煎熬就此启程 ：开始是种种“类AIDS体征”接踵而来，如胸部感染、喉咙疼痛等；媒体对艾滋病死亡率的悲观报道加剧了他的恐惧感——尽管实际上他的病11年后才发作。
从那天起，长达数年的时间里卡梅隆默默承受着这个不可为外人道的事实。后来他慢慢地告知密友和家人。但他有所保留：“真正的病因我没有说。‘AIDS’这个词还是太大，太可怕，太意味深长，太——终极了。”
艾滋病毒大规模传播最初是在北美，但目前感染者最多、发病率最高的地方是贫困的非洲。今天，约有3000万非洲人携带HIV病毒或已经成为艾滋病患者。南非的感染者占总人口的11%到12%。
1986年8月，南非矿业商会组织公布了30万男矿工的验血结果，其中约800名感染了HIV。这800名矿工被逐回原籍。
这次事件激起卡梅隆为艾滋病毒感染者争取劳工权益的冲动。从那时起他过起了“双面生活”：公开场合他是为弱势群体奔走的人权律师，私下里他也和艾滋病毒朝夕相处。同偏见和不公抗争的同时，卡梅隆也在和自己灵魂深处的羞耻感较量。他意识到，歧视不仅来自无知，来自社会习俗，也来自深受其害的感染者自身。
卡梅隆家有位30多岁的园丁Gladwell（化名），经过8年相处，他们早就亲如家人。2000年底卡梅隆注意到Gladwell的身体变差了，问他是否去看过医生。Gladwell坚持说这只是肺结核。但几个月过去，Gladwell吃的“药片”没起丝毫作用。
此后卡梅隆因公搬家。半年多后他得知消息：Gladwell已在老家津巴布韦去世。他宁愿死，也不接受卡梅隆的帮助。对他而言，得艾滋病的耻辱远比疾病本身和随之而来的死亡难以面对。
当时很多人羞于承认自己感染或患病的事实，包括卡梅隆本人。这种煎熬到1998年才告一段落。那年圣诞节，36岁的南非妇女Gugu Dlamini因在电台公开自己是HIV感染者被社区同胞用乱石和尖刀袭击，不幸去世。3个月后，卡梅隆终于决定告诉世人：我也是一个艾滋病人。“如果Gugu都能说出来，我为什么不能？”
卡梅隆是幸运的。他有殷实的收入和很高的地位，而且得到了亲人的理解和支持。更关键的是他还在适当的时候获得了适当的药物。
就在他发病前一年，美国学者何大一发明了联合抗病毒疗法，可以控制艾滋病毒在体内的复制。这给卡梅隆带来了新生的机会。从1997年11月开始服用ARVs（抗逆转录病毒药物）4周以后，他的身体状况得到了极大改善。
千千万万的底层患病人士没有他这份幸运。在南非，普及抗病毒药物治疗有两道坚固堡垒：本国政府的否认、漠视；知识产权赋予国际制药巨头的保护。面对这两种势力，身为病人和法官的卡梅隆意识到了自己责无旁贷：“首先是宣布艾滋病可以通过药物控制这一事实，接着我会尽我一切所能，以我的道德感召力、澎湃的激情和明确的态度来与他们抗争。”
在他看来，公开“现身说法”是个激发全社会共识的有力举动。但到底选择什么样的场合和方式来坦白，才能既达到目的，又让世人将注意力集中在那些急需药物治疗的贫困艾滋病人身上，卡梅隆斟酌了很久。
1999年4月，他终于等到了一个合适的机会。当时宪法法庭法官John Didcott刚刚病逝，他的职位需要填补。根据规定，宪法法庭的司法人员叙用委员会（Judicial Service Commission）必须举行一个听证会，让4名候选人发表竞选演说。卡梅隆第一个发言，他借此机会向整个南非发出了他的声音——“虽然从法律和伦理上说我可以保持沉默，但我仍然选择在此宣布我是艾滋病人。……我希望我今天的决定有助于营造更开放和体贴的社会氛围，能够为所有的南非艾滋病人带来光明和可靠的医疗前景。”
尽管没有得到这个职位，但社会舆论一边倒地给予卡梅隆积极响应。可惜的是，直到今天，他还是惟一主动公开自己艾滋病感染者身份的非洲公职人员。
卡梅隆身上有诸多标签：人权律师、高等法院法官、社会活动家、儿童福利院和艾滋病村资助人。
曼德拉在《艾滋证人》序言里盛赞他是南非“英雄”，卡梅隆却谦逊地说，“我配不上任何荣耀。我的成长绝非一条直线。”
他出生在一个穷苦之家。参加过“二战”的父亲后半生靠酒精度日。在他快7岁时，父亲又一次因酗酒丢了工作，悲愤的母亲别无他法，在和父亲离婚后，接受教会朋友的建议，把卡梅隆和两个女儿劳拉（Laura）和珍（Jean）送到了“儿童之家”。不久，12岁的姐姐劳拉因意外死于车祸。在儿童之家生活5年后，卡梅隆的母亲设法把儿子转到了一所一流的公立学校。让他从贫穷中得救的是他的肤色。“我知道我很聪明，有天赋，但只因为我是白人，我才有条件表现和挖掘这些禀赋。在1960年代和1970年代，这就是一个穷小子开发自己的本钱。”
在校期间，卡梅隆如饥似渴地学习法律、英文、拉丁语和希腊语，之后凭奖学金直升牛津。1983年，拥有多个学位、成绩优异的卡梅隆顺利地成为了执业律师。然而种族隔离氛围下的锦绣前程引不起他的兴趣。
1986年，他与其他律师一道为著名的“Sharpeville Six”（被控在1984年9月的沙佩维尔骚乱中谋杀市政长官Dlamini的6名黑人）辩护。当时地方法官在证据不足的情况下一审判处6人死刑。法庭上的种族歧视和不公令卡梅隆如鲠在喉。他频频撰文、召开集会、面见国外记者，使此案最终引起国际社会的极大反响，为再审和缓刑赢得了宝贵的时间。
1990年代，卡梅隆不遗余力地推动对同性恋者权益的保护。他毫不避讳自己的同性恋者身份，并与人合著了《偏离的欲望——南非同性恋者的生活》（Defiant Desire）一书。他还在立法、司法领域做了大量工作。在运用法律为HIV感染者和艾滋病患者维权方面，他是当仁不让的领军人物。1993年，卡梅隆领导创立了艾滋病法律项目（ALP），致力为HIV病毒感染者和艾滋病患者提供法律支持，对南非公共政策的制定和执行产生了巨大影响。
一方面，卡梅隆坚决捍卫艾滋病人的隐私。在1993年的著名的McGeary案中，一名南非医生在高尔夫球场向同行透露他病人的艾滋病病情。控告医生的患者在地方法院输掉了官司，因为卡梅隆的帮助，于上诉法庭反败为胜。卡梅隆还推动政府通过法律禁止企业在雇佣前进行侵害劳工权益的HIV检测。
另一方面，他也推动法律保护可能受到感染的弱者。1996年起卡梅隆执掌南非法律委员会的艾滋病事务。在此期间他促成了政府对“蓄意传播HIV病毒”问题的政策，提出对性侵犯者（如强奸犯）强制进行HIV检测。
南非总统姆贝基上台之后奉行“集体否认”的政策。他质疑公认的科学结论，并且带头抵制ARVs（抗逆转录病毒药物）用于治疗。数万新生儿如果在出生时打上一针这种便宜的药物，可能就会幸免，但他们却被剥夺了这个机会。在卡梅隆和其他有识之士的公开干预和抵制之下，南非宪法法庭最后通过法令，勒令姆贝基政府着手开始一项全国性的行动计划，通过宣传和治疗切断HIV的母婴间传播。
此外，卡梅隆还是南非全国艾滋病委员会创始人。这个组织要求政府对迫在眉睫的艾滋病危机给予正面回应。在他领导下，一份旨在维护所有艾滋病感染者利益的权利宪章，以及被“非国大”接受的艾滋病防治计划得以起草。
2008年的秋天，应联合国艾滋病规划署邀请，卡梅隆来到中国访问。
追访他的某一天里，他早上8点在欧洲商会做演讲，接着去佑安医院参观，下午和几个NGO、民间团体座谈，晚饭后在北大政法学院作报告，报告结束后又被一位国内社会活动家拉去咖啡厅交流。一整天下来，卡梅隆腰杆笔直，神采奕奕，似乎不知累为何物。事后，他笑着说，“你采访我的那天，我不是还给你看过我吃的药片吗？可我居然忘了吃药。你该负上一份责任。哈哈。”
在佑安医院座谈时，卡梅隆对病人和医生能进行一对一的咨询和治疗深表羡慕：“南非艾滋病人太多。基本上人人都知道艾滋病是怎么回事，任何家庭都可能有一两个成员是病人。我们做不到如此面对面的、细致的安抚和治疗。”
那天中午，他和医生、病人代表一起吃了外卖套餐。得知在座的一位年轻志愿者已感染HIV14年时，他主动伸过手去：“你看上去很健康。”
艾滋病是可以治疗的
人物周刊：1999年您为什么选择在那样一个场合公开身患艾滋病的消息？
卡梅隆：我选择了一个和我的工作关系密切的公共平台。我谈的不仅仅是疾病，而且是社会对HIV的歧视。我想向公众传达这样一个积极信息：艾滋病是可以治疗的，它只是一种疾病而已。
那一天对我的事业很重要，但我觉得这件事更重要。在非洲艾滋病是一种覆盖面极广的传染病，上千万人被感染，而且大多数得不到及时的治疗。当别人还处在水深火热中时，我却还“安然自在”，这让我无法接受。
人物周刊：公布消息之前，您做好应对外界反应的准备了吗？
卡梅隆：说实话我心里充满恐惧。不过出乎我的意料，他们给我拥抱和赞扬……我想，这是因为大家一直都渴望有公众人物挺身而出。不过很遗憾，至今没有第二个非洲的政府公职人员承认（自己是艾滋病感染者）。只有曼德拉公开了他的儿子患艾滋病的消息。
人物周刊：您觉得这是为什么呢？
卡梅隆：因为歧视依然存在。大家还不习惯在公众面前提到自己的“隐疾”。即使得的是癌症或糖尿病，要在媒体和公众面前讲出来，还是会觉得困难。艾滋病就更是如此了。因为你可能谴责他/她的性行为方式、性道德。归根到底，歧视是来自于人们对性道德的评判。但HIV只不过是一种病毒，不是一种道德判断。
人物周刊：你有没有孤军奋战的感觉？
卡梅隆：是的。我有些朋友积极参与有关艾滋病的社会团体和活动。身为法官，我不方便一一参与。我和他们保持联系，不时通电话。我们非常团结，但还是会经常有孤独感。
人物周刊：身为“享有特权”的白人，为什么会对受艾滋病折磨的穷人、底层黑人的困境感同身受？
卡梅隆：在非洲，这些病的流行都是由于贫困。其他传染病，疟疾、肺炎，因为贫穷，因为环境恶劣，蔓延得更加厉害。如果你是穷人，毫无疑问你感染和患病的几率要大得多，也更容易因为艾滋病而死亡。贫困是非洲最严峻的问题之一。所以我要为降低药价而大声疾呼。因为这是可以控制的疾病，但很多人因为穷困而耽误、失去治疗的时机。
人物周刊：孩提时的不幸经历对您的成长有怎样的影响？
卡梅隆：我可以被归入南非所谓的“少数特权阶层”，因为我是白人。但在白人里我又是少数分子，因为我出身贫寒，在“儿童之家”长大，我的童年过得很不容易。即便如此，我还是因为肤色“获益”良多，我一路读的都是声名显赫的学校。因为这些经历，成年后我便对政治非常敏感，希望通过我的努力推动社会公平和正义。
现在药物不再是一个问题
人物周刊 ：您在书中提到，1980年代南非同性恋人群受到歧视。
情况有多严重？
卡梅隆：在南非，同性恋，尤其是女同性恋，常常面临暴力威胁。南非性侵犯率本来就高。很多男人认为他们可以对女人为所欲为。在很多乡村，女同性恋者若公开自己的身份，男性就会用暴力发泄不满。
1994年，南非在宪法里规定同性恋享有和其他人同等的权利。此后又有很多其他规定来保证这一法律得以施行，其中包括同性婚姻。南非是目前世界上批准同性婚姻的5个国家之一。所以，一方面这是一个对同性恋给予很多包容的国家，但另一方面，歧视和偏见依然存在。在法律上有规定并不意味着社会上的偏见被一扫而空了。
人物周刊：处于贫困线的南非人使用避孕套的情况如何？他们有钱支付吗？或者习惯上说，他们不喜欢用？
卡梅隆：西方人从他们的角度，对此颇多指摘，他们说，“为什么南非人不采取更安全的性行为方式？”我认为这种观念很有问题。拿吸烟举例。1951年有医学家发表文章，称吸烟会导致癌症。有将近10年时间，没人把他说的当回事，除了他的几位同事。直到1960年代人们才开始接受这一论断，而美国烟民的比例从20%～30%下降到10%左右则用了近半个世纪。我的意思是，医学界发起的这些倡导、运动，常常需要很长时间才能改变人的观念。简单地要求南非人改变他们的性行为，更是一种对人类行为的误解。
南非人确实不太爱用避孕套，但还是有一部分人在用，对防止HIV感染也起到了一定作用。在欧洲，很多人没有在性行为时戴避孕套的习惯，只是他们感染的几率小一些。在非洲，未加保护的性行为导致感染的几率要大很多。所以实际上各个地方的性行为模式差别不大，但人的抵抗力、致病的概率却很不一样。
人物周刊：在您宣布自己是艾滋病人后，“我没有因为得艾滋病奄奄一息，我只是和艾滋病共生”这个说法流行起来。为什么您强调“共生”？
卡梅隆：我想强调艾滋病的可控制性、可治疗性。即便研究和治疗艾滋病的医生，很多也没有意识到这一点。我服用药物快12年了，身体状况很好。我喜欢爬山，经常骑自行车。人们普遍认为艾滋病患者应该弱不禁风、状态很差。并不是这样。抗病毒药物能帮助我们活得健康、精力充沛。我自己就是个很好的例子。
人物周刊：这些药品贵不贵？
卡梅隆：我吃的这种是一个月40美元左右，还可以更低。这样的药现在很容易买到，在中国也有。但我刚开始服药的阶段，药品是贵得离谱的，企业的理由是：用利润来开发新药，以拯救更多的病人。荒唐！你置3000万奄奄一息的非洲HIV感染者于不顾，还声称要救治别人。这种说法根本站不住脚。后来他们自觉理亏，改变了态度。要知道，制药的成本很低廉，企业漫天要价是无耻的。曾经有人说我们没办法解决非洲3000万人的艾滋病问题。现在药物不再是一个问题，最大的问题是政府。姆贝基干脆拒绝承认艾滋病是一种病毒导致的传染病。
我能活70、75，也许80岁
人物周刊：和政府打交道您讲求策略吗？
卡梅隆：既要有斗争，也要有妥协。有时在一些演讲、集会、活动过程中，我很有攻击性，不过我的性格不是咄咄逼人、非致人于死地不可的那种。
人物周刊：反对政府给你带来麻烦了吗？
卡梅隆：因为公开反对姆贝基在艾滋病问题上的政策，我的职业生涯基本上止步不前了。（当然现在他已经离职了，很多人说也许我又有升职机会了。）还有一些政界人物对我颇有微词。在公开场合碰到内阁成员或政府要人，偶尔会有人不愿和我同处一室，但大多数人还是会以礼相待。
人物周刊：您兼具病人和法官双重身份，如何保证自己在处理案件时的公正性？
卡梅隆：这要视具体的案件而定。如果是关于治疗艾滋病的案子，我不会参与。但涉及歧视艾滋病人的案子我不会坐视不管。就好像你不能因为一个法官是黑人而禁止他审理种族歧视案件，对吗？
人物周刊：在北大和学生交流时，您的报告里着重谈了司法独立问题。不过现场没有形成活跃的互动，您意外吗？
卡梅隆：很高兴你问这个问题。事实上，在中国政法大学和北大我都强调了司法独立的重要性。学生们的发言没有涉及这个话题，也没有提相关问题。其实这很重要。如果南非没有司法独立，我们就不可能挑战总统的艾滋病政策，政府一定不会同意向感染者免费发放抗病毒药物。我不想只谈艾滋病，我希望和中国学生一起探讨社会机构、司法体系在这个问题上能发挥多大作用。
人物周刊：您一直对HIV病毒检测持谨慎态度。据了解，在中国的少数医院，医生在给病人动一些不太大的手术时，也会要求病人先做HIV的检测，目的是保证医生的安全。您觉得在保护病人隐私和保护医生安全间该如何平衡？
卡梅隆：HIV检测一直是两难的问题，它可能给结果是阳性的人带来社会歧视。那种出于保护医务工作者意图的检测，在我看来是错误的。任何时候检测都必须以病人为中心。手术导致医务人员感染的可能性微乎其微，应当通过普遍、周到的防范措施避免这种可能。
人物周刊：我们听说，一般而言艾滋病患者从感染HIV始，可以活20-30年。从1986年底到现在您已经活了22年……
卡梅隆：现在医生们有更乐观的说法——可以活得更长。
如果病人可以得到像我一样成功的药物治疗，HIV对寿命就没有直接的影响。我想我能活到70、75，也许80岁。（笑）只要我没得突发性疾病，比如心脏病或致命的癌症。
人物周刊：对中国的HIV感染者和艾滋病人，特别是还活在恐惧和羞耻中的人，您还有什么建议？
卡梅隆：病毒我们可以用药品对付，而对病人我想传达一个“希望的信号”：我们要战胜错误的观念和态度，让每个人都知道，艾滋病并不可怕，它是可以用药物控制的。而最重要的，是让病人们得到治疗。
At 15:41 on March 16, 2009 Source: Southern People Weekly Author:邓郁
Cameron and AIDS symbiotic
If a patient can be like me, the success of drug treatment, HIV on life expectancy would be no direct impact.
I think I can live up to 70,75, maybe 80 years old
October 21, 1997 morning, from the High Court's common room to his office when the effort costs are normally not become South Africa's two-tier staircase • Judge Edwin Cameron (Edwin Cameron) physiological limits:
All my physical strength are exhausted during the inter-legs, sweating profusely. Lung cavity is also filled in if the water, thirsty. No pain, only the lingering fatigue.
Have fear.
This is Cameron at autobiographical book "HIV witness" in the recall.
Rest against the wall when their body is very well informed Cameron knows that the moment can not be dragged on the afternoon would have him see a doctor. Even though doctors told him to be what he knows - in his body hidden for many years the onset of HIV.
"I hereby declare my people are AIDS"
In 1986, the first same-sex sexual contact, so that young Cameron infected with the HIV virus. The year at 15:00 on December 19, doctors give him a telephone call. Talk time is very short, but message is alarming. Cameron angry: "without warning, there is no plan, did not request, nor with my consent to such a sudden and fatal blow me unprepared. ... ... At any rate have the discretion of him about it, how to let me know, let me be more appropriate to accept. "
Night, he alone went to a downtown Johannesburg Bar. Want to buy him drunk, but only in return for very clear tingling. He had never felt so powerless.
The 1980s, human beings have just found out AIDS as an incurable disease. 33 years old, very best for the future of South Africa • Human Edwin Cameron was thus "sentenced" the. "I was going to die," - he could not shake off the whole idea. Long suffering on this departure: start are all kinds of "AIDS-type signs," Worse still, such as chest infection, sore throat, etc.; media coverage of AIDS mortality pessimistic exacerbated fear him - even though in fact his illness for 11 years after the attack.
From that day on, for several years under卡梅隆默默this can not be the truth to outsiders. Later, he slowly told a close friend and family. But he has reservations: "I really did not say the cause. 'AIDS' the word is still too big, too frightening, too meaningful, too - the ultimate."
Large-scale spread of HIV was first in North America, but most infected people, the highest incidence of poverty in Africa are places. Today, there are about 30 million Africans carry HIV virus or have become AIDS. Infected persons in South Africa accounted for 11 percent of the total population to 12%.
August 1986, South Africa Chamber of Mines announced Organize 300,000 blood test results of male miners, of which about 800 are infected with HIV. Which 800 miners were deported to the country of origin.
The case stirred up Cameron for HIV-infected people the impulse to fight for labor rights. From then on he had played a "double life": public occasions he was running for vulnerable groups of human rights lawyer, in private he and HIV Get along with day and night. Struggle with prejudice and injustice at the same time, Cameron is also the soul and its own deep sense of shame contest. He is aware that discrimination not only from ignorance, from social customs, but also suffered from the infection itself.
Cameron House has bit more than 30-year-old gardener Gladwell (a pseudonym), after 8 years to get along, they have long pro-such as family members. Cameron noted that by the end of 2000 the physical deterioration Gladwell asked him whether he would go a doctor. Gladwell insist that this is only a tuberculosis. However, over the past few months, Gladwell eat "pill" did not play any role.
Cameron has since moved because of the public. More than half a year later, he was informed that the message: Gladwell has died at his home in Zimbabwe. His spiritual sense of the word, nor to accept the help of Cameron. For him, the shame of AIDS than the disease itself and the ensuing difficult to face death.
At that time, a lot of people ashamed to admit their truth infection or illness, including Cameron himself. This suffering come to an end until 1998. Christmas Day that year, 36-year-old Gugu Dlamini South African women in public radio that he is HIV-infected persons were community compatriots with stoning and knife attacks, the tragic death. 3 months later, Cameron has finally decided to tell the world: I am also a person of AIDS. "If Gugu can say it, why should not I?"
Cameron is lucky. He has substantial income and high status, and relatives have been understanding and support. Crux of the matter is he is still an appropriate time to obtain the appropriate medication.
On him prior to the onset of one year, American scholar David Ho invented the United antiviral therapy, can control HIV replication in vivo. This give Cameron the chance to bring a new lease on life. In November 1997 from the start taking ARVs (antiretroviral drugs) 4 weeks later, his physical condition has been greatly improved.
The bottom of hundreds of thousands of sick people do not have him this lucky. In South Africa, universal access to antiretroviral treatment is to prescribe both solid fortress: the national government's denial, indifference; intellectual property rights given to the protection of the international pharmaceutical giant. Faced with these two forces, being sick and judges aware of their duty-bound to Cameron: "First of all, are announced by AIDS drugs to control this truth, then I will do everything we can to me to my moral appeal, outpourings of emotion and specific approach to fight with them. "
In his view, open "their own experiences" is a society-wide consensus to stimulate a powerful act. But in the end select what kind of occasion and means to be honest, can we achieve this purpose, allowing the world to focus on those in urgent need of medical treatment of poor people who AIDS, Cameron, where appropriate, for a long time.
April 1999, he finally had to wait until a suitable opportunity. At that time, the Constitutional Court Judge John Didcott has just died, his position needs to be filled. According to regulations, the Constitutional Court of the Judicial Service Commission (Judicial Service Commission) must hold a hearing, so that four candidates made a campaign speech. Cameron's first speech, he took the opportunity to the whole of South Africa sent his voice - "Although from a legal and ethical that I can remain silent, but I still choose to announce AIDS are my people. ... I hope ... my decision today will help create more open and considerate of the social atmosphere for all people of the South African AIDS bring a bright and reliable medical prospects. "
Even though this position has not been, but one-sided public opinion to give Cameron a positive response. Unfortunately, until today, he would still only take the initiative to open their own AIDS identity of public officials in Africa.
Cameron has a lot of body tags: human rights lawyer, the High Court judges, social activists, children's welfare and AIDS funding village people.
Mandurah in the "living witness" to the preamble of South Africa praised him are "heroes", Cameron has modest to say that "I not deserve any glory. ME is not a straight line growth."
He was born in a poor house. Take part in the "World War II," the father relied on alcohol to make ends meet after the half. At 7 years old when he fast, his father has once again lost his job due to alcohol abuse, grief and indignation of his mother left with no alternative, and at his father after the divorce, the church accepted a friend's recommendation to Cameron and two daughters, Laura (Laura) and Jane (Jean) to the "children's homes." Shortly afterwards, 12-year-old sister Laura died in a car accident a result of accidents. Living in a children's home 5 years later, Cameron's mother, trying to put her son transferred to a first-class public schools. So that saved him from the poverty of his skin. "I know I am smart, have talent, but only because I was white, I have performance and mining conditions of these endowments. In the 1960s and 1970s, and this is a穷小子develop their own capital."
While studying at the school, Cameron hungry to study law, English, Latin and Greek, after their helicopter Oxford fellowship. In 1983, with multiple degrees, outstanding smooth Cameron became a solicitor. However, under an atmosphere of apartheid a bright future not have interest in him.
In 1986, he and other lawyers to work together for the well-known "Sharpeville Six" (was charged in September 1984 at the Sharpeville riots in the murder of Municipal Chief Executive of the six black Dlamini) defense. At that time, the judge places the case of lack of evidence at trial the next 6 people to death Department. Court on the racial discrimination and injustice such as the Cameron stuck in throat. He frequently wrote to convene meetings, to see the foreign journalist, so that eventually the case caused a great deal of international repercussions, and suspended for a retrial and won valuable time.
During the 1990s, Cameron spared no effort to promote the protection of the rights of homosexuals. He did not care about their gay identity and co-author of the "desire to depart from - South Africa homosexuals Living" (Defiant Desire) one book. He also legislative and judicial fields to do a lot of work. In the use of law as the HIV-infected people and AIDS activist, he is doing my leader. In 1993, Cameron founded Leaders AIDS Law Project (ALP), is committed to HIV-infected persons and AIDS patients to provide legal support for the South African public policy formulation and implementation had a tremendous impact.
On the one hand, Cameron and resolutely safeguard the privacy of AIDS. At the famous 1993 case McGeary, a doctor at a golf course in South Africa to the peer said he's sick of AIDS patients. Doctor charged in the District Court of the patients lost the case, because Cameron's help, in the Court of Appeal victory. Cameron has also passed laws prohibiting the Government to promote enterprise in the employment of labor rights violations before the Detect HIV.
On the other hand, he also promoted the protection of the law may be infected with the weak. Cameron 1996 South African Law Commission in charge of AIDS. During this period he contributed to the Government's "deliberate spread of HIV virus," the policy questions raised on the sexual abuse of persons (such as rapists) Detect HIV mandatory.
South African President Thabo Mbeki came to power to pursue "collective deny" policy. He questioned the accepted scientific conclusions, and take the lead in boycotting ARVs (antiretroviral drugs) for the treatment. Tens of thousands of newborns at birth if one pin such cheap branded drugs, may be spared, but they are deprived of this opportunity. Cameron and other people of insight at the open intervention and resistance, the South African Constitutional Court for final adoption decree, ordered Mbeki government started a national plan of action through advocacy and treatment of HIV mother-to-child inter-cut dissemination.
In addition, Cameron is the founder of the South African National AIDS Commission. The organization called on the Government to give immediate positive response to the AIDS crisis. Under his leadership, one aimed at preserving all the benefits AIDS Charter of Rights, as well as "the ANC" AIDS prevention and control plan acceptable to the drafting.
Fall 2008, should be invited to UNAIDS, Cameron came to visit China.
追访him on a certain day, he morning at 8:00 to do the European Chamber of Commerce Speech, and then go佑安hospital visits, afternoon and some NGO, civil society forum, after dinner at Peking University Institute of Politics and Law for the report after The End was one domestic social activist拉去Cafe communicate. The whole day down, Cameron腰杆straight spirits, it seems that I do not know what tired. Afterwards, he smiled and said, "the day you interview me, I am not you read me back the pills to eat it? I actually forgot to take medicine. You a duty on the negative. Ha ha."
At a discussion meeting佑安hospital, Cameron on the patients and doctors to conduct one-on-one counseling and treatment is deeply admire: "AIDS in South Africa too many people. Basically, everyone knows how AIDS is a matter, any home may has 12 members are sick. We can not do so face-to-face, delicate appease and treatment. "
At noon that day, he and Doctor, Patient representatives ate take away packages. The meeting was informed that a young volunteers have been infected with HIV14 years, he take the initiative to go across the hand: "You look very healthy."
AIDS is a treatable
People Weekly: Why did you select in 1999 as a forum at a public message with AIDS?
Cameron: I chose a job close to my public platform. I am not just talking about the disease, and HIV are on the society of discrimination. I want to convey to the public a positive message: AIDS is treatable, it is just more than a disease.
The day of my career is very important, but I think this matter is even more important. AIDS in Africa is a very broad coverage of infectious diseases, on tens of millions of people infected, and most unable to obtain timely medical treatment. When others are still in dire straits, I still "odds", which I can not accept.
People magazine: published message, you prepared to deal with the outside world a ready response吗?
Cameron: To tell the truth my heart is full of fear. But beyond my expectations, they give me hug and praise ... I think ... that this is because everyone has been eager to have public figures to come forward. However, regrettably, has not been the second in Africa, government officials admit (he is HIV-infected persons). Mandurah public his only son, suffering from AIDS message.
People magazine: Do you think this is why?
Cameron: This is because discrimination still exists. U.S. is not accustomed to before the public referred to their own "隐疾." Even if the cancer or diabetes, at the media and the public to speak out before, or will find difficult. AIDS has been especially true. Since you may condemn him / her sexual practices, sexual morality. The final analysis, the discrimination is from the people of sexual and moral judgments. But HIV is a virus, not a moral judge.
People Weekly: Did you feel alone?
Cameron: Yes. Some of my friends actively involved in the AIDS community groups and activities. As a judge, I am not at liberty to participate in 11. I keep in touch with them from time to time the phone. We are United, but often there is loneliness.
People magazine: As a "privileged" white people, why would the poor afflicted by AIDS, the plight of blacks identify themselves with the bottom?
Cameron: In Africa, the prevalence of these diseases are because of poverty. Other infectious diseases, malaria, pneumonia, because of poverty, because poor environment, the spread of a more formidable. If you are poor, you have no doubt the probability of infection and illness is much greater, but also more vulnerable to AIDS because deaths. Poverty in Africa, one of the most serious problem. So I have to in order to reduce drug prices and shout. This is because the disease can be controlled, but a lot of people because the slippage of poverty, loss of treatment time.
People magazine: childhood, when the unfortunate experiences of your growth has what kind of impact?
Cameron: I can be classified as South Africa, the so-called "privileged few", because I was white. However, in the white in me is also a small number of molecules, because my poor, who, in the "children's homes" grow up, my childhood life is not easy. Even so, because my skin color or "gain" a lot, I read all the way are reputable schools. Since these experiences as adults, I will be very sensitive politically, I hope through my efforts to promote social equity and justice.
Now the drug is no longer a problem
People Magazine: In your book you mentioned that the 1980s South Africa Gay people are discriminated against.
How serious the situation?
Cameron: In South Africa, homosexuality, particularly lesbian, usually facing the threat of violence. South Africa, the rate of sexual assault was high. Man a lot of women think they can do whatever they want. In many villages, female homosexuals if their own identity publicly, men will use violence to let off steam.
1994, South Africa at the provisions of the Constitution and other Gay people enjoy equal rights. Since then, a lot of other provisions to ensure the implementation of this law, including same-sex marriage. South Africa is the world's approval of same-sex marriage, one of the five countries. Therefore, on the one hand this is a given Gay accommodate a lot of countries, but on the other hand, discrimination and prejudice still exist. Provisions in the law does not mean that society has on the bias was dispelled empty.
Weekly figures: the poverty line people of South Africa how to use condoms? They have money to pay it? Or habits that they do not like to use?
Cameron: Westerners from their perspective, which a lot of accusations, they say, "Why South Africa does not take people safer sexual practices?" I think this concept is very problematic. Take smoking, for example. Medical scientists has published the 1951 article, saying that smoking causes cancer. Has nearly 10 years, no one put what he said seriously, apart from several of his colleagues. Until the 1960s people began to accept this thesis, and the United States the proportion of smokers from 20% ~ 30% to 10% was spent near half a century. What I mean is that the medical profession launched these advocacy, sports, usually take a long time to change people's concepts. Easy to ask the South African people to change their sexual behavior, but also a misunderstanding of human behavior.
South Africa, people did not like to use condoms, but some people have used to prevent HIV infection must also played a role. In Europe, a lot of people do not wear condoms when having sex habits, but they were smaller probability. In Africa, unprotected sex infections likely to lead to much larger. So in fact each of the local pattern of sexual behavior is not very different, but people's resistance, the probability of disease is very different.
People magazine: When you announced that after their own people are AIDS, "because I did not have AIDS, dying, I just symbiotic and AIDS," this is popular. Why do you emphasize "symbiosis"?
Cameron: I want to emphasize AIDS can be controlled, to treat sexual. Even if research and treatment of AIDS doctors, not much aware of this. Express my medication for 12 years, in good condition. I enjoy hiking, often by bike. It is generally agreed that AIDS should be fragile, poor status. Is not the case. Antiviral drugs can help us live a healthy, energetic. I myself is a good example.
People magazine:贵不贵these drugs?
Cameron: I eat this month are about 40 U.S. dollars can also be lower. This medicine is readily available in China, also have. But I just started taking the stage, the drugs are expensive too outrageous, business reasons are: to use the profits to develop new drugs to save more patients. Absurd! You buy 30 million dying disregard African HIV-infected persons, but also claim to treat other people. This is totally untenable. Later, they consciously wrong, changed his attitude. We should know that the cost of pharmaceuticals is very low, companies are shameless漫天要价. Someone once said, no way to solve our 30 million people in Africa's AIDS problem. Now the drug is no longer a problem, the biggest problem is the Government. Mbeki simply refused to admit AIDS is a viral infectious disease caused.
I can live 70,75, maybe 80 years old
People magazine: and the government strategy to deal with you about it?
Cameron: We should fight against, but also there is a compromise. Sometimes in a number of Speech, of assembly, the process of activity, I am very aggressive, but my personality is not aggressive, non-deadly kind of not.
People magazine: opposition to the Government give you trouble it?
Cameron: Since openly oppose Mbeki on AIDS issues at the policy of my career has been basically stalled. (Of course now he has to leave, and a lot of people said that maybe I had the chance for promotion.) Some politicians have frequently made veiled criticisms of me. Encountered in public members of the cabinet or government dignitaries, occasionally someone and I do not want the same room, but most people will still be treated with courtesy.
People Magazine: You both sick and judges of double identity, how to ensure that their treatment at the fairness of the case?
Cameron: It depends on the specific case may be. If this is the case regarding the treatment of AIDS, I will not take part. But people involved in AIDS-discrimination case I will not sit idly by. On if you should not because a judge is black and the prohibition of racial discrimination cases heard him, right?
People Magazine: At Beijing University and students communicate, your report focused on the question of judicial independence. But there is no active-site interaction, you accidentally吗?
Cameron: I am glad you ask this question. In fact, China University of Political Science at Beijing University and I emphasize the importance of the independence of the judiciary. Speaking students not related to this topic did not mention anything related issues. In fact, this is very important. If South Africa does not have an independent judiciary, we can not challenge the president's AIDS policy, the Government must not agree to the infected persons free of antiviral drugs. I do not want to talk about AIDS, I hope the Chinese students to explore and social institutions, the judicial system on this issue can play a useful role.
People magazine: You have been on the HIV virus detection cautious. It is understood that the Chinese minority in the hospital, doctors give patients at moving some less surgery, patients will be required to do HIV testing, the purpose is to ensure the safety of Doctor. You feel sick in the protection of privacy and the protection of security of the Doctor how to balance?
Cameron: HIV detection problem has always been a dilemma, it may give people the results are positive about the social discrimination. For the protection of medical workers that the intent of testing, in my opinion is wrong. Detect any time have to be patient-centered. Surgery lead to infection of medical staff is extremely unlikely, it should be by universal and thoughtful preventive measures to avoid such a possibility.
People magazine: We heard that, in general AIDS patients infected with HIV from the beginning, you can live 20-30 years. From the end of 1986 up to now you have lived for 22 years ... ...
Cameron: Now doctors have a more positive view - can live longer.
If a patient can be like me, the success of drug treatment, HIV on life expectancy would be no direct impact. I think I can live up to 70,75, maybe 80 years. (Laughs) I did not get as long as sudden illness, such as heart attack or fatal cancer.
Weekly figures: China's HIV-infected people and AIDS, in particular, are also living in fear and shame in the people, you have any suggestions?
Cameron: the virus can use drugs to deal with us, and I want to convey to the patient a "signal of hope": We have to overcome misconceptions and attitudes, so that everyone knows that AIDS is not terrible, it can be controlled with drugs of. The most important thing is to allow patients to receive treatment.
