The Church of Scotland has condemned police violence in South Africa against peaceful protestors requesting HIV treatment.

The incident, which took place in Queenstown, Eastern Cape, last Thursday, involved demonstrators from Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), who were calling for the rapid expansion of the province’s antiretroviral treatment programme.

Police fired rubber bullets and tear gas, as well as using batons, against the demonstrators, who were, according to the Church of Scotland, peaceful and unarmed.

According to the Church of Scotland, many of the demonstrators were people with HIV, with as many as 50 injured and 10 sustaining gunshot wounds.

Police alleged they were responding to a call by hospital authorities to remove the demonstrators. TAC spokesperson Sipho Mthati said, however: "It really was excessive force against a peaceful protest. The police started beating people, then shooting at them."

The Geneva-based Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance has urged its members to protest to the South African Government and to request a full investigation.

Nigel Pounde, the Church of Scotland’s Project co-ordinator, said: "We deplore this use of violence. HIV and AIDS know no boundaries. Those demonstrating were taking action on behalf of their whole community and in defence of their human right to have access to health services, which their government has promised them but failed to provide."

He continued: "We stand in solidarity with all those around the world living with HIV and AIDS and we call for increasing access to treatment for people living with HIV and AIDS. We trust that G8 and other donor countries will deliver on their promises when they meet in London in September to firm up their funding pledges to the Global Fund for 2006 and 2007."