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OutRage!- Jamaican AIDS activist murdered

pirate | 05.12.2005 16:49 | Gender | Repression | Social Struggles | London | South Coast

Jamaican AIDS activist Steve Harvey was found murdered last week. .

Jamaican AIDS Activist Murdered

(See also original story on Human Rights Watch site 2 Dec)
 http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2005/12/01/jamaic12135.htm

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Steve Harvey executed by gunmen

Hero of the Jamaican freedom struggle mourned by OutRage!

London – 5 December 2005

Leading Jamaican AIDS activist, Steve Harvey, aged 30, was abducted by
gunmen who forced their way into his home at 1am in the morning of 30
November, the eve of World AIDS Day.

The kidnappers drove Harvey to a remote rural area where he was shot
in the head and back in an execution-style killing.

Jamaican police confirm that three or four assailants took part in the
attack.

It is alleged that the gunmen menaced Mr Harvey and his two flatmates
with taunts about their sexuality.

The armed assailants tied up his flatmates, looted the house, and
forced Mr Harvey at gunpoint into his car.

About two hours later, Mr Harvey’s body was found with gunshot wounds
in his back and head in a rural area miles away from his home.

”Mr Harvey had played a leading role in the HIV charity, Jamaica AIDS
Support, since 1997. He organised HIV awareness and prevention
programmes for gay men and sex workers,” said Peter Tatchell of the UK
gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender organisation, OutRage!

“We worked with Jamaican groups last year to support their efforts to
challenge homophobia and to provide health and welfare support to gay
Jamaicans.

“OutRage! salutes Steve’s immense courage and dedication. He played a
pivotal role in ensuring that safer sex advice and condoms were
available to all Jamaicans, including gay and bisexual men.

“It is thanks to the efforts of Steve and his colleagues in JAS that
many Jamaican men and women - both gay and straight - have not
contracted HIV. They have helped save hundreds of lives.

“Steve’s memory lives on in the lives of the living,” said Mr
Tatchell.

Further information: Peter Tatchell, OutRage!, 020 7403 1790
ENDS
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