In the space of less than two decades, HIV/AIDS has become one of history's worse infectious disease epidemics. The scale of this plague, and the human suffering it causes, have reached shocking proportions. In the midst of this disaster, the human spirit has demonstrated its resilience through the efforts of heroic women and men in many countries around the world who have fought the ignorance, indifference, discrimination, and stigma this plague has wrought. In many cases, these individuals have placed their own careers and lives in jeopardy for the cause of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. Wan Yanhai is one such hero.

The global spread of HIV/AIDS has taught public health, human rights, and governmental leaders searing lessons about how this plague must be confronted.

At the heart of the knowledge gained in this fight is the need to craft a policy that respects science, public health, and human rights. The most effective strategies against HIV/AIDS combine the best scientific evidence available, determined application of tried-and-tested public health principles, and commitment to fundamental human rights. Experts who meld these areas in their work have been most effective in providing societies and individuals with a fighting chance against the onslaught of HIV/AIDS. Wan Yanhai is one such expert.

We are proud and honored to have Wan Yanhai, the prominent Chinese HIV/AIDS activist, as our colleague in the Fulbright New Century Scholars Program on the exploration of health challenges in a borderless world. We support his work, and we are ready to help the Chinese people fight against HIV/AIDS.

Unfortunately, Wan Yanhai has been detained by the government of the Peopleˇ's Republic of China for his work on HIV/AIDS. As a global network of thirty scholars from nineteen nations concerned about the fate of public health in a globalized world, we are disturbed that China has detained Wan because of his efforts to protect and promote the health of his countryˇ's people.

We are struck by the contradiction that almost simultaneously with Wanˇ's detention China publicly announced to the world that the scale of its HIV/AIDS epidemic is larger than it previously acknowledged and requested for urgent international assistance to fight the growing threat. But the expert and hero who courageously made similar claims suffers detention and interrogation at the hands of Chinaˇ's security forces. We hope that China realizes quickly that indifference and fear of HIV/AIDS is the real threat to its national security and prosperity not Wan Yanhai.

We urgently appeal to the Chinese government to end Wanˇ's detention immediately so that he can continue his tireless work to promote the union of science, public health, and human rights in the face of a menacing disease threat. We urgently call upon all governments and international organizations in a position to answer Chinaˇ's call for international assistance to intercede with the Chinese government to free this courageous individual and to allow his mission to continue. We add our voices to the rising global demand that Wan Yanhai be freed unconditionally.


On behalf of the 2001-2002 NCS Scholars Program
Ilona Kickbusch, Distinguished Scholar Leader, Yale University
Alfred Spira, Hospital de Bicetre, France
Nelly Salgado de Snyder, National Institute of Public Health, Mexico
David P. Fidler, Indiana University School of Law


Disclaimer: All rights and ownerships on this site are acknowledged. The intent of this site is to inform, not to profit.