Johannesburg – Legal Aid South Africa said yesterday it would conduct campaigns on rights associated with HIV/Aids at taxi ranks and in key communities over the coming weeks.

“Through the campaign we seek to highlight the great challenge posed by HIV/Aids to human rights, as well as appeal to the legal community to take an aggressive stance and tough legal approach to the problem,” said the organisation formerly known as the Legal Aid Board.

The taxi rank initiative plans to highlight human rights issues and participate in community outreach programmes, as well as give presentations in courts.

Until December 12, it will target taxi operators, commuters, vendors and queue marshals.

“While our core mandate is to provide quality tax-funded legal advice and representation to the poor and vulnerable groups, we also place a huge emphasis on educating the general populace on their legal rights and obligations. What better place than taxi ranks to successfully execute a mass public awareness campaign,” it said. – Sapa