[REPORT] UNDP Publishes Study Highlighting Weaknesses in Legal Protections for PLHIV in Asia and the Pacific

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149713-HIV-2013-legal-protections-against-hiv-related-human-rights-violations.pngIn its recently released follow-up study to the report on the Global Commission on HIV and the Law: Risks, Rights and Health (July 2012), the UNDP finds that HIV-related anti-discrimination laws and their enforcement are failing to provide adequate human rights protection for people living with HIV (PLHIV)  in the Asia-Pacific region. The report, titled Legal protections against HIV-related human rights violations: Experiences and lessons learned from national HIV laws in Asia and the Pacific, surveys laws in the Asia-Pacific region meant to provide legal protections for people living with HIV/AIDS and, the gap between these laws and their enforcement. According to Shiba Phurailatpam, Regional Coordinator of the Asia-Pacific Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS (APN+), who is quoted in the press release: “The report’s findings demonstrate the urgent need for practical measures to be taken to ensure people who experience violations can access the legal system to claim their rights.” He urged governments and donors in the region “to help strengthen access to justice and legal empowerment among people living with HIV.”

The UNDP’s recommendations emphasize the need for legal reform and capacity development to expand access to justice for PLHIV and other key populations, as well as greater investment from international stakeholders. The UNDP urges donors such as the Global Fund to “support government and civil society programming on HIV-related human rights, including access to justice programmes.”

Asia Catalyst’s Advocacy Program Director, Shen Tingting, recently joined the Developing Country NGO Delegation to the Global Fund Board; her involvement will provide a direct channel for advocacy on these issues with the Global Fund.   If you have suggestions or ideas, feel free to contact her at info@asiacatalyst.org.  For more information on the UNDP’s findings and the full report click on the links below.

Click here to for the UNDP press release.

Click here for the full report: Legal protections against HIV-related human rights violations: Experiences and lessons learned from national HIV laws in Asia and the Pacific.

[REPORT] UNAIDS Releases 2013 Guidance Note on Overly Broad Criminalization of HIV Non-Disclosure, Exposure, and Transmission

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On May 28th, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) released their updated guidance titled Ending overly broad criminalization of HIV non-disclosure, exposure and transmission: Critical scientific, medical and legal considerations. The paper is a follow-up to their 2008 policy brief and details the results of two years of research, evidence-building, and policy dialogue. Key principles and considerations were outlined on the HIV Justice Network website upon release of the guidance. The paper advocates for ending overly broad HIV criminalization by ensuring that legal and judicial fairness are upheld, protecting the human rights of PLWHA involved in criminal cases, and expanding implementation of public health objectives over criminal prosecution wherever possible, using the best available scientific and medical evidence.

Click here for a PDF of the full report.

 

[UPDATE] UN Endorses Asia Catalyst Report on Compensation

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In the good news category, UNAIDS has recently come out strongly in favor of China’s Blood Disaster: The Way Forward, a joint report published by Asia Catalyst and the Korekata Law Center this year. The statement, available here boldly calls for ‘comprehensive and inclusive process of consultation and dialogue involving representatives from government, civil society, people infected through contaminated transfusions, legal experts, academia and other relevant fields.’

[NEWS] First Steps: UN Releases Statement on Drug Centers

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A joint statement cosigned by 12 UN bodies, including UNAIDS, last Friday, called for all “States to close compulsory drug detention and rehabilitation centers and implement voluntary, evidence-informed and rights-based health and social services in the community.” The statement noted that many of the compulsory centers violate internationally recognized human rights standards often involving physical and sexual violence or forced labor. 

Read the full report here.