Arasa pays tribute to the late Hon. Rosie Bistoquet |28 December 2023

“The Aids and Rights Alliance for Southern Africa (Arasa) is deeply saddened by the untimely death of Honourable Rosie Bistoquet who was the Seychelles National Assembly proportional member and chairperson of the Committee on Communicable Diseases, HIV/Aids and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).

“Hon. Bistoquet was also a member of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus and the Standing Orders Committee. She was also serving on the Democratisation, Good Governance and Human Rights Committee as a member of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF).

“Hon. Bistoquet tirelessly advocated for the rights and welfare of individuals and communities within the East and Southern Africa region. She was the first health professional to develop an HIV Integrated Biological and Behavioural Surveillance Survey among female sex workers which was conducted in Angola, Mauritius and Seychelles as the lead investigator. In addition, she was the first lead investigator to undertake a national assessment of body composition in children using the stable isotope deuterium dilution technique for Seychelles.

“Arasa and partners have lost both a friend and an ally who was instrumental in the Arasa-led Regional Bodily Autonomy and Integrity (BAI) campaign. The campaign aimed at promoting respect for and the protection of the rights to BAI for all to reduce inequality, especially gender inequality, and to promote health, dignity, and wellbeing in East Africa and Southern Africa.

Hon. Bistoquet contributed immensely to the Seychelles BAI coalition in amplifying the voices of healthcare providers. She attended several engagements coordinated by Arasa including various parliamentary trainings on BAI as well as the Regional SRHR Mukutano/Symposium in March 2023 where she participated in plenary sessions on the perspective of policy makers on progress towards the advancement of SRHR in the SADC region.

“Arasa deeply valued the support that Hon. Bistoquet offered in fighting for rights for all. During this difficult time, Arasa joins the family, the Seychelles government and SADC PF in mourning the loss of Hon. Bistoquet who served with such dignity, warmth, and kindness. Her commitment to human rights for all remains a beacon on which Arasa and the rest of the region can build on to further the human rights objectives.

“MAY HON. ROSIE BISTOQUET’S SOUL REST IN ETERNAL PEACE!”

Dr Ntombi Muchuchuti

Arasa director