The Tico Times Online Daily Page

LIVES ARE AT STAKE: People living with HIV/AIDS protest suspension of anti-retroviral drugs.
AFP/TT

C.R. Signs Historic Child-Labor Declaration
During a Friday celebration featuring a who's who of the country's political, intellectual and cultural personalities, Costa Rica renewed its commitment to eradicating child labor by signing a historic declaration touting the slogan "mobilize Costa Rica, say no to child labor."
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Human Rights Watch Applauds C.R.
For Stance on Cuba
The U.S.-based rights watchdog group Human Rights Watch on Friday congratulated Foreign Minister Roberto Tovar for Costa Rica's unwavering defense of human rights and recognized the country's international leadership in that area.
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Costa Rica Photography
Photo exhibit on traditions, culture, food, at 5:30 p.m., Librería Internacional, Multiplaza. Info: 800-542-7374.

Democrats Abroad of Costa Rica Meeting:
At the Gran Hotel de Costa Rica at 11 a.m. for the business meeting, noon for lunch, and 12:45 for the speaker. The speaker is to be announced. For information and required reservations call Dorothy Sagel. Info: 249-1856.

Last Week to See Art Show
Manuel de la Cruz González' Oils and varied techniques are on display at Galería 11-12, through May 4, 200 m. east, 100 m. north of El Farolito, Barrio Escalante. Info: 280-8441.

C.R. Signs Historic Child-Labor Declaration
By Amanda Schoenberg
aschoenberg@ticotimes.net

During a Friday celebration featuring a who's who of the country's political, intellectual and cultural personalities, Costa Rica renewed its commitment to eradicating child labor by signing a historic declaration touting the slogan "mobilize Costa Rica, say no to child labor."

The declaration, the first of its kind in the world, calls for a concrete governmental and societal responses to child labor, and pledges to protect the rights of all children in Costa Rica.

Signers of the declaration included President Abel Pacheco, astronaut Franklin Chang, former president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Oscar Árias, Archbishop Hugo Barrantes, author Alberto Cañas, ex-president Rodrigo Carazo Odio, television executive Olga Cossa de Picado and composer Benjamín Gutierrez, among others.

"The goal of this declaration, above all else, is to make people aware of the problem," said Chang.

President Pacheco explained that the document marks the final stage of the Labor Ministry's "Second National Plan for the Eradication of Child Labor and Protection of Adolescent Workers." He said the ministry will now focus on eradicating child labor in rural areas of the country, while a new project in San José will work with the families of working street kids.

The President also said his administration will designate more Education Ministry funding for scholarships, transportation and lunchrooms, stipulating that, in order to receive government welfare, the young recipients must remain in school.

Enrique Brú, director of the International Labor Organization for Central America, said it was a great honor that the first declaration of this kind was signed in Latin America.

"I am firmly convinced that Costa Rica will be one of the first countries to eradicate not only the worst forms of child labor, but of all forms of child labor," Brú said.

Others, meanwhile, note that signing a declaration against child labor is not the same as eradicating the problem.

Regional child welfare advocate Bruce Harris, director of Casa Alianza, noted that Costa Rica is good at announcing national action plans and signing declarations, but not so good following through with such plans or making sure that they are implemented and funded effectively.

An estimated 120,000 children work in Costa Rica, a country with just under 4 million people. More than 70% are boys, and most live in the rural parts of the country, according to statistics from a home survey conduced last July (TT Daily Page, Jan. 31).

AIDS Patients Protest Medicine Stoppage

Dozens of people living with HIV/AIDS gathered Friday in front of the San José offices of the Costa Rican Social Security System (Caja) to protest the recent interruption in state-subsidized anti-retroviral treatment - known as the "cocktail drug."

Demonstrators, many covering their faces with paper bags, claim that they have not been able to receive anti-retroviral medications from the Caja in over three weeks.

"The interruption of medical treatment is putting the lives of infected people - including women and children -- at risk," said Carlos Alfaro of the Costa Rican Movement of People with HIV/AIDS.

The group was met by Caja spokesman Albin Chaves, who admitted that the interruption of anti-retroviral treatments was due to a temporary quality control problem. He assured that the problem was being worked out, and that all eligible patients would start receiving medications again by Friday.

The group, meanwhile, is demanding the Caja test all the HIV/AIDS patients affected by the interruption to determine if anyone's immune system suffered as a result of the drug suspension.

The Caja provides more than 2,300 HIV/AIDS patients with anti-retroviral treatment, following a Supreme Court ruling in 1997 that obliged the government to provide the medication free of charge.

According to Health Ministry statistics, 2,340 people in Costa Rica have been infected with HIV/AIDS since the first reported case here in 1983. Of those infected, 1,020 have died.