Nigeria: On Zero Discrimination Day, Coalition of Lawyers for Human Rights strongly denounce judicial HIV stigma in ongoing child custody case (Press release)

Breach of HIV status confidentiality and discrimination by the Hon Justice Olagunju of the Oyo State Judiciary 

Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. March 1, 2017.

Coalition of Lawyers for Human Rights, COLaHR, is a Coalition of Human Rights Lawyers working on issues of Persons Living With, Affected By or Most at Risk of HIV.

COLaHR has been following and monitoring a case involving a mother living with HIV, which is being adjudicated upon before the Hon Justice Olagunju of Court 7 of the Oyo State High Court of Justice.

Our interest in the matter is basically to monitor how courts, in the dispensation of justice involving persons living with HIV, respect their confidentiality and possible traces of stigma and discrimination, in accessing justice.

COLaHR is concerned with the attitude of the Honourable Justice on all fronts in this regard. On the 20th of February 2017, while lawyers on both sides were delivering their final addresses, the presiding Judge, publicly made comments which publicly revealed the HIV status of the plaintiff. Not only was this wrong and a gross breach of confidentiality, the Judge also made comments obiter in the case of custody of the child, which exhibited gross stigmatisation and discrimination.

The Judge largely stated as follows:

“putting the interest of the child first, imagine the trauma that the little girl will pass through when the news of her mother being HIV-positive spreads across her school.”

The above quote, which was made in passing (obiter) and may not be included in the courts records, is patently discriminatory and coated with stigma. It betrays lack of appreciation of the prevailing HIV and AIDS laws at the federal and state levels. Several questions arise from Justice Olagunju’s statement:

  • What happens if both parents of the child are HIV-positive? Will such a child be handed over to foster parents?
  • Are we saying that persons with HIV in Nigeria are not fit for parenthood?
  • Should all HIV-positive adults therefore be sterilised?
  • Who will spread the news of Omolara being HIV-positive all over her daughter’s school?
  • Is the right to confidentiality of HIV status not guaranteed under Nigerian laws?

COLaHR makes the following findings from our monitoring of this case:

  1. The disposition of Hon. Justice Olagunju clearly casts doubt on the ability of the court not to be swayed by the Plaintiff’s health status in coming to a decision on the matter.
  1. The Plaintiff, in her statements to COLaHR has clearly shown the fear as in above, given her Husband’s request for custody of the child is hinged on HER HIV-POSITIVE STATUS.

It is in light of the above that COLaHR calls on Hon. Justice Olagunju to excuse himself from the case as justice must not only be done, but must be seen to have being done.

We call on the Chief Justice of the State, to direct Hon. Justice Olagunju to step down from the case.

We will in consonance with the law, share our findings with the Federal Attorney General and Minister of Justice and the State Attorney General respectively.

Signed

Roseline Oghenebrume,

National Coordinator, Coalition of Lawyers for Human Rights

Canada: Protesters in Ontario call for an end to the criminalization and stigmatization of people living with HIV

Protesting the Criminalization of HIV

Lives are being destroyed because the laws have not caught up to science.

A couple dozen demonstrators gathered outside the office of the Ministry of the Attorney General on Wednesday to protest the continued criminalization of HIV-positive people in Ontario.

Protesters are demanding an end to the stigmatization of positive status, as well as the ongoing inaction on the part of all levels of government to develop prosecutorial guidelines for legal cases involving HIV-positive people, who are legally required to disclose their status to all partners regardless of the actual risk of transmission.

While there are no official laws criminalizing those with HIV, the precedent of using existing offences—aggravated sexual assault, for instance—against those who fail to inform their partner of their HIV-positive status effectively criminalizes those who have the disease. This is despite the fact that there is growing scientific consensus [PDF] that those who are positive but have a low viral load pose little to no risk of infecting their partner, especially if safety measures (like condoms) are used.

The criminalization of HIV status is part of a larger structure of marginalization, activists say. “This is an intersectional issue, which involves race and class,” says Jonathan Valelly of Queers Crash the Beat. “We know that the people being most affected by this are immigrant men and men of colour. We know that gay men are being targeted, and we know that poor people are being targeted.”

The issue of HIV criminalization, and the stigma of being HIV-positive, came up recently when a Toronto police officer threatened a citizen peacefully filming an arrest. The officer claimed that the man being arrested was “going to spit in your face; you’re going to get AIDS.” This is, of course, patently false—but it reflects the immense stigma that HIV-positive individuals face.

The crowd heard statements read aloud from individuals who were affected by HIV criminalization. One man was incarcerated for not disclosing his status, despite having a low viral load and using a condom. They also heard a statement from Michelle Whonnock, a sex worker from Vancouver who was was jailed for nearly two and a half years for not disclosing her positive status to a client. Her statement described how working as a sex worker was a necessity for her to get by, how she was portrayed in the media as an “HIV infected prostitute,” and how she remains on a sex offender registry—all because she has a disease.

In 2010, then-Attorney General Chris Bentley agreed to develop prosecutorial guidelines that would help protect HIV-positive individuals, but such guidelines simply never materialized. “We have now a growing consensus in the scientific community internationally that if you are a person living with HIV with a low viral load, it’s very difficult for you to transmit HIV,” says Eric Mykhalovskiy, who works with the Ontario Working Group on Criminal Law and HIV Exposure.

“That science has not being taken into account in the approach to criminal prosecutions that the ministry takes. Nor has efforts to ensure that people who are following public health advice, who are using condoms, who don’t present a risk, aren’t prosecuted.”

Published in the Torontoist on February 22, 2017

Canada: Canadian Coalition to Reform HIV Criminalization hopeful after meeting with federal justice officials but some provinces remain reluctant

Momentum building for HIV law reform

Coalition emerges from meeting with senior federal justice officials last week feeling hopeful, but provinces remain reluctant to commit to moratorium on new charges involving non-disclosure of HIV status

BY

Chad Clarke says his nightmare and rebirth – he uses the two interchangeably to describe his experience with HIV laws and the justice system – made him stronger.

It started on February 12, 2009, when he turned himself in on an aggravated sexual assault charge brought by his former common-law partner. A judge found Clarke failed to disclose his HIV status, but Clarke says he didn’t know he was HIV+ at the time.

He didn’t see the light until he walked out of prison more than two years later in June 2011, but his resurrection as an HIV activist could not have happened without the experience of prison, which led to his resolve to fight so no one would have go through what he did.

Clarke found himself face to face with high-level officials in the federal justice ministry last week, telling his story and reading the testimonials of others who say they have been unfairly treated by the Canadian justice system because of their HIV status. Clarke is part of the Canadian Coalition to Reform HIV Criminalization, a group of researchers, lawyers, service providers and people living with HIV who’ve come together to capitalize on recent momentum around getting HIV-related laws changed.

Finally, Minister of Justice Jody Wilson-Raybould seems to be listening to the latest science about HIV transmission: it’s a manageable condition for the vast majority of people living with HIV who take antiretroviral medicines. According to the latest research, a person living with HIV with a suppressed viral load for at least six months cannot pass on the virus.

It’s a major reason why advocates are calling for an overhaul of the law. On World AIDS Day (December 1, 2016), the justice minister released a statement acknowledging that “the over-criminalization of HIV non-disclosure discourages many individuals from being tested and seeking treatment, and further stigmatizes those living with HIV or AIDS.”

Clarke feels vindicated after years of feeling alone. Over the phone from his home in Dresden, Ontario, following the meeting, he says, “I’m here to open people’s eyes and let them know what happens to people when they’re criminally charged.”

Behind bars, he told justice ministry officials, people living with HIV are branded dangerous to guards and other inmates. Once he was removed from his prison laundry job after a guard was concerned that he would “give AIDS” to other inmates by handling their clothes. “I just looked at the guard,” Clarke says.

HIV cannot be transmitted through clothes, saliva, touch or a toilet seat. HIV transmission requires an exchange of blood, semen, pre-seminal, rectal or vaginal fluids, or breast milk. It is most commonly transmitted through unprotected sex or sharing of injection drug equipment.

Though the federal government has begun to engage communities on how it might change prosecutorial guidelines to reflect up-to-date science and human rights principles around HIV, some provinces – particularly Ontario, where the bulk of prosecutions occur – continue to ignore further attempts at dialogue.

Police and Crown attorneys here have aggressively pursued aggravated sexual assault charges against people even when they don’t transmit the virus, says Ryan Peck, executive director of the HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario (HALCO). The group has been calling for a moratorium on prosecutions in the province except in cases of intentional transmission.

“This is a very reasonable approach, and a number of communities are speaking up about the current over-broad use of the criminal law,” Peck says, citing a recent consensus statement from 70 leading HIV researchers and academics.

Emilie Smith, a spokesperson for Ontario’s Ministry of the Attorney General, responding via email to NOW’s request for comment, says that the Ontario government “is committed to working with the federal government to examine the law on this important issue.”

But she says that Crown prosecutors will continue to take direction on current HIV non-disclosure cases from the 2012 Supreme Court of Canada ruling on R. v. Mabior. Critics say the ruling outlines too low a threshold for conviction. The ministry, she says, has no further comment on the request for a moratorium until the federal government and provinces can agree on prosecutorial guidelines on the issue.

Clarke continues to push forward, telling his story and calling for greater justice for those still caught up in the system.

“There are other people out there who are experiencing this right now,” says Clarke. “It choked me up at one point when I was reading one of the testimonies, because this is not right. It’s not right.

“I can live with my HIV. It’s the PTSD that I don’t like,” says Clarke, who recently went on medication “to be able to sleep through the night, not have nightmares about people dying or stabbing one another in jail.”

Clarke, who used to be an X-ray technician, must also live the rest of his life as a registered sex offender, which affects his ability to find work. “I can’t even volunteer at an old folks home. They’re going to do a vulnerable sector screening check, and my name is going to come up on the registry.”

Published in Now on February 19th, 2017

Canada: Rally against HIV criminalisation planned in Toronto for February 22 at noon

HIV is NOT A Crime! – Action against HIV criminalization

Wednesday Feb 22 12:00pm-1:30pm in Toronto
AIDS Action Now! and Queers Crash the Beat invite you to tell the Attorney General that HIV IS NOT A CRIME!

Gather for a rally this Wednesday, February 22 @ 12 noon

Ministry of the Attorney General, 720 Bay St

Ontario continues to lead Canadian provinces in charges against people living with HIV for not disclosing their status, even when they have taken precautions to protect their partners, when there no risk of transmission, and when no transmission has taken place. People are being prosecuted for aggravated sexual assault, one of the most serious charges under the Criminal Code. Conviction carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a mandatory designation as a sex offender for a minimum of 20 years.

Analysis of prosecutions shows a disproportionate number of charges against racialized people and a growing number against gay men. There is also deep concern that women with HIV who are in abusive relationships will face aggravated sexual assault charges in situations where they cannot safely impose condom use nor disclose their HIV status.

The current approach of the criminal law towards “risk” is completely out of line with current HIV science. It is clear, for example, that people living with HIV who have an undetectable viral load do not transmit HIV to their partners. Over 70 leading scientists working in the field of HIV expressed serious concern with the law in their Canadian consensus statement on HIV and its transmission in the context of criminal law (http://www.aidslaw.ca/site/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Canadian-statement1.pdf)

The federal government has also expressed concern. In a December 2016 statement (http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1163979), the Minister of Justice stated that,

“… the over-criminalization of HIV non-disclosure discourages many individuals from being tested and seeking treatment, and further stigmatizes those living with HIV or AIDS. Just as treatment has progressed, the criminal justice system must adapt to better reflect the current scientific evidence on the realities of this disease.”

As pressure increases at the federal level, we must pressure the provincial government! They are responsible for carrying out these laws, to act immediately to stop the overreaching and violent criminalization of HIV.

We echo calls from the Ontario Working Group on Criminal Law and HIV Exposure and demand that Attorney General Naqvi immediately takes the following actions:

1. Impose an immediate moratorium on all HIV non-disclosure prosecutions, unless there is alleged intentional transmission of HIV, while law reform options are being explored and sound prosecutorial guidelines are being developed – in conjunction with the community – to limit the current misuse and overextension of the criminal law.

2. Publicly state that the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General is committed to ending the overly broad application of the criminal law in cases of alleged HIV non-disclosure and to reviewing Ontario’s approach to these prosecutions.

3. Engage in meaningful dialogue with the Ontario Working Group on Criminal Law and HIV Exposure (CLHE) as well as people living with HIV and scientific experts when developing prosecutorial guidelines and other responses to this issue.

For many years, community members have highlighted the injustices taking place and conveyed the unacceptable reality that such prosecutions are having a disproportionate impact on the most marginalized and vulnerable of persons living with HIV. It is time for Ontario to show true leadership. Unjust and harmful prosecutions must end NOW.

Canada: Community organisations in Ontario call for an immediate moratorium on all prosecutions and sound prosecutorial guidelines

Stop the witch-hunt of HIV criminalization

People living with HIV are being charged with some of the most serious offences in our criminal law, even in situations where there has been no transmission of HIV, no realistic possibility of transmission, and no intent to transmit.

Witch-hunts aren’t always sudden social paroxysms. They can be pursued slowly and with a veneer of legality — a steady erosion of rights and decency tapping into, and reinforcing deep-rooted fear, stigma and prejudice. Their harm isn’t limited solely to the injustices meted out to those directly targeted; they cast a broader shadow over entire communities.

It’s what’s happening here, courtesy of the provincial Ministry of the Attorney General that has so far refused to recognize both science and human rights when it comes to prosecutions for alleged nondisclosure of HIV.

People living with HIV are being charged with some of the most serious offences in our criminal law (such as “aggravated sexual assault”), even in situations where there has been no transmission of HIV, no realistic possibility of transmission, and no intent to transmit.

Simply put, they are being criminalized for having HIV, caught up in a justice system, from policing to prosecution to prison, that too often disregards evidence and the public interest.

(After the recent incident involving a Toronto police officer talking nonsense about how “AIDS” can be transmitted, it’s clear there is much work to be done on the policing front, too. Scientific consensus is that there is zero risk of HIV transmission through spit and a vanishingly minuscule possibility of transmission through a bite. At least scientifically speaking, we’re not in 1984.)

For many years, a group of committed people living with HIV, lawyers, academics and other advocates has called on the attorney general to put an end to this overly broad use of the criminal law.

In particular, this coalition has urged the adoption of sound guidelines for prosecutors to appropriately limit the use of criminal charges. Repeatedly, it has denounced problematic prosecutions that continue in Ontario — prosecutions accompanied by media coverage that, according to a recent study, disproportionately features black and/or immigrant men and often reflects racist stereotypes. Repeatedly, the coalition has suggested remedies for this ongoing injustice, drawing on a province-wide consultation.

But successive attorneys general have been unable or unwilling to rein in overzealous prosecutors, and have failed to develop prosecutorial guidance in line with science and numerous international recommendations.

As it stands, a so-called “HIV experts group” of crown prosecutors within the ministry now runs this horrible show in Ontario, leading the charge against people living with HIV. From the outside, we don’t know the group’s composition or how they make their decisions to pursue a particular prosecution.

Community organizations have requested a meeting. So, too, have scientific experts — who have pointed out that a correctly used latex condom is 100 per cent effective in blocking passage of HIV, as well as the science now establishing that someone with an undetectable viral load (including as a result of effective treatment with anti-HIV drugs) is effectively non-infectious. Yet this group of “HIV expert” prosecutors has not responded.

However, recent reports in the Star revealed an infamous guide for prosecuting cases of HIV nondisclosure, developed by Hamilton crown attorney Karen Shea — who has played an active role in advancing such cases around the province — for use by other prosecutors. (The government was ordered to release this document after years of wrangling in court.)

A Ministry spokesperson admitted the guide takes a “prosecution at all costs” approach and “doesn’t take into consideration the kinds of situations in which a more lenient approach might be justified.”

It is therefore no surprise that we continue to see the misuse of charges of aggravated sexual assault, a criminal offence usually reserved for the most violent rapes, even in cases of consensual sex where there was negligible or no risk of HIV transmission, no actual transmission and no intent to transmit.

Such prosecutions damage individual lives and public health. As stated last month by Canada’s federal justice minister, “… the over-criminalization of HIV nondisclosure discourages many individuals from being tested and seeking treatment, and further stigmatizes those living with HIV or AIDS.”

Enough is enough. Attorney General Yasir Naqvi — and Premier Wynne herself, who expressed her concern to us in-person three years ago — must stop this witch-hunt. More than 500 letters of concern have, as of this week, been sent to both by outraged community members.

We need an immediate moratorium on all prosecutions (except in those very rare cases of intentional transmission), and we need sound prosecutorial guidelines that respect science and human rights.

Richard Elliott is the executive director of the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, a member of the Ontario Working Group on Criminal Law and HIV Exposure. Stephen Lewis is board chair of the Stephen Lewis Foundation and co-director of AIDS-Free World, an international advocacy organization.

Published in The Star on February 8, 2017

US: Please help raise $20,000 to support Michael Johnson's appeal.

Justice for Michael L. Johnson

Michael L. Johnson now sits in prison under a law that hurts many and helps no one. With your help, he could be free in a matter of months.

Everyone ought to have the right to a fair trial. A toxic mix of racial bias, homophobia and income inequality made that impossible for Michael L. Johnson. With your help, he may have another chance at justice.

In the fall of 2013, Michael Johnson was living his dream. He was a student-athlete at Lindenwood University where he was a respected collegiate wrestler. He aspired to one day compete in the Olympics. But Michael’s dreams were shattered in October 2013, when he was arrested for being a sexually active black gay man living with HIV. In May 2015, under the unfair and unjust HIV criminalization laws in the state of Missouri, Michael was found guilty and sentenced to 30 ½ years.

Remarkably, in December 2016, the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, reversed his conviction based on the prosecution’s failure to turn over important evidence in a timely fashion. But Michael is not out of the woods yet. In order for Michael to have a chance to get his life back, he needs the best legal counsel available at the new trial that will take place sometime soon. This is where your help Is needed.

Michael urgently needs an attorney that can defend him and give him a shot at true justice. In order to give Michael that chance, we need to raise $20,000 in 20 days. This money will be used to hire a private attorney that has the experience, background, and passion to help Michael fight the HIV criminalization laws in Missouri.

A new trial date has not yet been set – but time is of the essence! Michael needs experienced counsel immediately.

Any amount of money will help – if we all pull together, we can reach this goal and give Michael Johnson a new lease on life. Please share his story and help support his quest for freedom.

———————————————————————————————————

We are advocates, organizers, and community members committed to working toward the freedom of Michael L. Johnson, a young black gay student, respected college athlete, and aspiring olympic wrestler before he was arrested under Missouri’s unjust HIV criminalization law.

US: Positive Women's Network USA – January 2017 Newsletter

2017: Ready for the Fight of Our Lives
The first steps toward repeal of the Affordable Care Act have already been taken by the new Republican-led Congress. A bill that would effectively ban all abortions has already been introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Steve King (R-IA). Confirmation hearings are underway for Sen. Jefferson Sessions (R-AL)–a far-right legislator with a very poor record on women’s rights and civil rights, including voting rights, as well as a documented history of making racist remarks–for Attorney General, and for Rep. Tom Price (R-GA)–another far-right legislator who has a record of opposing health care reforms that benefit low-income people and of opposing women’s health care rights and access, as well as conflicts of interest in the same area–for Secretary of Health and Human Services.

 
And all of this is happening even before the inauguration of a president who ran a campaign of open misogyny, racism, xenophobia and intolerance. 
 
At PWN-USA, we know that the road ahead is long and fraught with challenges. The threats to the health, life and liberty of many of us–as well as to the fabric of our democracy–are real and are unfolding around us in real time. But we also know that our community is strong, resilient and accustomed to resistance in the face of oppression. We started 2017 with a game plan–one that is incomplete and evolving day by day, but which has some specific commitments and initiatives to strengthen our community and the effectiveness of our fight against these attacks.
  • This Tuesday, we launched our new weekly PWN Action Alerts to help our members and allies stay up to date on the latest critical developments and take action quickly and easily in different ways, whether by phone, email, social media or in person.
  • We are excited to announce our brand new PWN Policy Fellows Program, an innovative fellowship that will help women living with HIV become even fiercer leaders and advocates on the issues that matter most to us.
  • An anti-racism affinity group that came together at the 2016 Speak Up! Summit is developing an anti-racism curriculum, with a webinar series and discussion groups meeting monthly, to help white members and non-Black people of color more effectively get involved in the fight for racial justice in the Trump era. The first webinar was held Tuesday evening; more will be announced soon.
  • We will be holding three new series of webinars–in strategic communications, policy and regional organizing–to help PWN members hone their skills in fighting for justice, liberty and bodily autonomy.

Still more is coming soon. Stay tuned–and stay vigilant! We will be doing our best to keep you up-to-date and help you take action. We hope we can count on your support and your voice throughout the days, weeks and months to come. Our victory depends on all of us.

Become a PWN-USA Policy Fellow!

Positive Women’s Network – USA is proud to launch applications for our inaugural Policy Fellowship for Women Living with HIV (WLHIV). The yearlong Policy Fellowship will prepare and involve WLHIV in all levels of policy and decision-making by increasing participants’ ability to engage effectively in the federal policy and advocacy arena. In the current political environment marred by threats to sexual and reproductive rights, basic health care access, the social safety net, and civil and human rights, it is critical that WLHIV are equipped with a wide array of tools to support vibrant, visionary and strategic advocacy on behalf of their communities.

This one-year fellowship is open to all women living with HIV, including women of trans experience. We especially encourage young women, women of color, immigrant women, folks who are trans, LGB and gender non-conforming, who live in the South and who possess a strong desire to effect meaningful change in the lives of other WLHIV to apply.

The fellowship curriculum will be rooted within a social justice framework and will apply an explicit gender justice and racial justice lens to the policy and advocacy process as a vehicle for transformative social and political change. Fellows will receive coaching and mentoring to support their policy advocacy goals, opportunities to attend policy meetings (in person and via conference call), opportunities to engage with national advocacy coalitions, and access to policy experts. Additionally, fellows will have the opportunity to obtain and apply marketable writing, research and organizing skills to support their professional development. Fellows who graduate successfully will receive a certificate at the end of the program and their registration fees for the 2018 SPEAK UP! Summit will be waived.

 
We will be holding an informational webinar about the application process on Friday, Jan. 27, at 3 PM EST/12 PM PST–register here!
Staying Positive:

Women Living with HIV Speak Out Against Stigma
On World AIDS Day 2016, women living with HIV in Colorado publicly shared short videos they created in partnership with the StoryCenter. PWN-USA is proud and pleased to roll out these incredibly powerful and moving videos in 2017 as we fight stigma and highlight the resilience and fierceness of women living with HIV in the U.S.

We will be sharing one to three of these videos in each of our biweekly e-newsletters! Today, enjoy Barb’s story,You Don’t Know Me.

 
“I gave my power away. I let others determine what was pretty, what was worth complimenting…I gave my power away with both hands to people who didn’t even really want it, to people who didn’t have my best interests at heart. In my search to fit in, I allowed. I allowed it all. Why do we give our power away, when we can be so powerful?”
From PWN-USA Colorado co-chairs Kari Hartel and Barb Cardell: 
Last spring, the StoryCenter began to search the community in the Denver Metro-Area for partners to create some short videos of people living with HIV. PWN-USA Colorado co-chair Kari Hartel was able to attend an informational meeting and asked that a workshop be dedicated to women living with HIV. A month later, the Empowerment Program, a local agency that has been serving women, mostly those who are low-income and highly marginalized, joined in the collaboration; the Staying Positive project was born. Staff from Empowerment’s Women’s AIDS Project and PWN-USA Colorado leaders began working with women living with HIV to identify those who wanted to participate in the StoryCenter workshop. There was so much excitement about the project that two workshops were created, one in May and one in July.
 
18 women living with HIV were able to participate and the Staying Positive project took flight.

These workshops were transformational for many members. The process for each woman to create her own video from start to finish was very intensive and the bonds that were formed during the workshops will likely continue for a lifetime. We are so thankful to the StoryCenter for their amazing work in giving people a driver’s seat and a platform to tell their own stories.”

PWN-USA at Creating Change!

PWN staff members Waheedah Shabazz-El and Cammie Dodson will be presenting at the Creating Change Conference at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown in Philadelphia, PA, on Friday, January 19th. The workshop will provide an overview of HIV criminalization throughout the country and its impact on people living with HIV, especially women and LGBTQ people of color. The session will focus on the intersection between criminalization and violence against women living with HIV, and will highlight local and national efforts to repeal, reform, and abolish HIV criminal laws. Participants will have the opportunity to develop strategies to strengthen advocacy efforts in their home states and lift the work of grassroots organizations in their communities. We hope to see you there!

Session Details

“Decriminalizing HIV, Decriminalizing Bodies: From the grassroots to the capitol”

Workshop Session 3 (Friday, 3:00 – 4:30 pm)

Room 305 (3rd Floor)

Read, Listen, Organize!
Want to be more active in the resistance, but not sure how or where to get started?
  • Keep an eye out for your weekly PWN Action Alert! We will offer you plenty of ways to get involved, from marching in the streets to making phone calls.
  • Are you attending the Women’s March or one of the Sister Marches, or an inauguration protest? Send your photos, videos and/or blogs to jsmithcamejo@pwn-usa.org to share through our social media, website and these newsletters!

US: Positive Project Update – January 2017

Federal Advocacy

Federal Criminal Justice Working Group Meets

The quarterly meeting of the LGBT/HIV Federal Criminal Justice Working Group (“working group”) took place in Washington, D.C. in December. Members strategized on how to respond to the incoming Trump administration, discussed the new Congress and possible implications for criminal justice, and participated in a variety of ancillary meetings with agency officials. Highlights included meeting with the Bureau of Prisons to identify ways in which sexual health and sexual health literacy can be improved for all prisoners, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The discussion followed from CHLP’s detailed memo to BOP officials on ways the Bureau can update current program statements to meet the basic sexual health needs of all federal prisoners without the need for any change in current law or regulations. The next in-person meeting of the working group is in March 2017.

State Advocacy

State Forums Now Online

The PJP Online State Forums went live on November 15. Hosted on the Center for HIV Law and Policy’s website, the forums provide a space for state advocates to communicate, exchange information, share resources, and work collectively on projects, drafts, and other materials. The forums can be accessed here. The page also provides a link for anyone interested in joining a PJP State Working Group to apply for membership.

State Advocacy Working Group Updates

CALIFORNIA

On November 16, Californians for HIV Criminalization Reform (CHCR) hosted an event at the West Hollywood City Council Chambers featuring stories from people directly affected by HIV criminalization to educate the community about HIV criminal laws and build support for eliminating these laws. Panelists included West Hollywood City Councilmember John Duran, who is living with HIV, who spoke about his work as an attorney defending people facing prosecution under California’s HIV criminal laws. Robin Barkins and Nestor Rogel spoke about the impact of criminalization on people living with HIV. Gerald Garth and Jorge Diaz, from Black AIDS Institute and Bienestar, talked about the HIV epidemic among Black and Latino gay and bisexual men. And the Los Angeles HIV Law and Policy Project presented data from a 2016 Williams Institute study showing that sex workers in particular, along with people of color, are disproportionately affected by HIV criminal prosecutions in California.In related news, Equality California is finishing up a messaging survey of California residents on HIV criminalization in that state.  We likely will be able to report on the key findings from their survey in our next PJP Update, so stay tuned.

CHCR is planning a legislative briefing in Sacramento in February with the California Legislative LGBT Caucus. The briefing will feature testimony from expert witnesses as well as individuals directly and indirectly affected by HIV criminalization in the state. It will be free and open to the public.

For more information or if you are interested in joining Californians for HIV Criminalization Reform, please contact Craig Pulsipher at cpulsipher@apla.org.

GEORGIA

On November 30, the Coalition to End HIV Criminalization in Georgia participated in a World AIDS Day panel hosted by Georgia Equality, SisterLove and The Counter Narrative Project in Atlanta.The panel looked at Georgia’s HIV criminal law, the impact it has on the lives of PLHIV, and the coalition’s efforts to reform the law. Coalition member and panelist Nina Martinez examined mandatory HIV disclosure laws and their impact on the risk of intimate partner violence for PLHIV. Held at Gallery 874, the panel discussion coincided with the “Living With” art exhibit, which featured art about the experiences of PLHIV.

The Coalition is reaching out to legislators to identify potential sponsors for a bill to reform the state’s HIV criminal law.

If you are interested in becoming an advocate to help change Georgia’s HIV Criminal Law, please contact CHLP’s Sr. Community Outreach Specialist for PJP, Lauren Fanning, at lfanning@hivlawandpolicy.org.

INDIANA

HIV Modernization Movement-Indiana (HMM) recently completed a short survey of Indiana-area HIV service providers that assessed provider knowledge around Indiana’s HIV criminal laws. It also assessed provider attitudes about how policies that require them to counsel their patients/clients about the disclosure law affect care delivery. HMM reports that an impressive 171 providers participated. The HMM Steering Committee continues to meet monthly and expand its network. It also has begun to educate key stakeholders about HIV criminalization and efforts underway to modernize Indiana laws.

Next Meeting: Mid-January (TBD) 

If you are interested in information about HIV criminalization in Indiana or in participating, supporting or endorsing HMM-Indiana, visit our get involved page or contact steering committee members at hmm.indiana@gmail.com

MISSOURI

The Missouri HIV Justice Coalition (HIVJC) announced its commitment to combat HIV criminalization in Missouri at a World AIDS Day Conference in Kansas City on December 1, 2016. Coalition members conducted outreach resulting in a number of new active participants, allies and partner groups. HIVJC also held a co-sponsored community discussion, Stand Up and Speak Out. Panelists included Robert Suttle, SERO Project; Tusday Dudly, Kansas City CARE Clinic; Randall Jenson, Artist, SocialScope Productions; and Kris Wade, The Justice Project. They addressed the consequences of HIV criminalization and actions attendees could take to change the law. Co-sponsors of the event included Empower Missouri, UMKC Pride Alliance, Social Scope Productions, and UMKC/LGBTQIA.

HIVJC intends to expand their coalition to include those who focus on racial justice and members of faith communities more directly in the work to modernize Georgia’s law.

Next Meeting: Friday, January 27 at 1:00pm (CT)

Meetings are held on the second and fourth Friday of the month.

If you would like information on HIV Criminalization or are interested in becoming an advocate with the Missouri HIV Justice Coalition Working Group, please contact Ashley Quinn at ashley@empowermissouri.org or Stephen Williams atswilliams@hivlawandpolicy.org.OHIO

On December 3, the Akron AIDS Collaborative held a World AIDS Day Community Forum, hosted by the Northeast Ohio Regional Advisory Group at the Akron Urban League. The event was sponsored by AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Presenters included: Lillie Jackson Tisdale (President, National Association of Black Social Workers), Naimah O’Neal (The Ohio Working Group for HIV Decriminalization), Ted Thompson, and Kate Boulton (Staff Attorney, Center for HIV Law and Policy). The forum focused on advancements in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, including the science of HIV transmission, as well as the role of stigma in undermining an effective public health response to HIV. Presenters also described the state of the law in the Ohio, recent prosecutions, and current efforts at modernization. The role of Ohio’s Criminal Justice Recodification Committee was also highlighted. Attendees included representatives of the Ohio Black Women’s Leadership Caucus and the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland. Thanks to Steve Arrington for his dedicated work to make this event possible.

Next Meeting: Wednesday, February 8 at 5:00pm (ET)

If you would like information on HIV Criminalization or are interested in becoming an advocate with the Ohio HIV Criminalization Working Group, please contact Lauren Fanning at lfanning@hivlawandpolicy.org.

SOUTH CAROLINA

The PJP South Carolina Law Modernization Group convened in November and December. The group has gradually increased its membership and reached consensus on the use of PJP Guiding Principles in their advocacy plan. The group is working on messaging and talking points and continued expansion of their coalition.

Next Meeting:  Thursday, February 9 at 2:00pm (ET)

Meetings are held on the second Thursday of the month.

If you would like information on HIV Criminalization or are interested in becoming an advocate with the PJP SC Law Modernization Group, please contact Stephen Williams at swilliams@hivlawandpolicy.org.

TENNESSEE

On December 16, several local advocates and CHLP’s Lauren Fanning met for an in-person strategy meeting in preparation for the 2017 legislative session that opens January 10. Using Larry Frampton’s (NashvilleCares) extensive policy and legislative experience in Tennessee, as well as key PJP planning and guidance resources, the group reviewed its progress, identified key stakeholders and individuals who are not yet engaged, and created a detailed work plan for introduction of a bill and to guide its advocacy moving forward. The draft bill was developed with the assistance of Mayo Schreiber, CHLP Deputy Director, and the group has identified several potential sponsors, including both state senators and representatives. More Tennessee advocates and organizers are needed and welcome!

On February 21, Tennessee AIDS Advocacy Network (TAAN) will hold its annual Day on the Hill, which offers advocates an opportunity to speak with and educate state legislators about the need to modernize Tennessee’s HIV criminal laws, as well as other HIV-related issues. Already 50+ participants have signed up.

Next Meeting: Thursday, January 26 at 11:00am (CT)

Meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of the month.

If you are interested in information about HIV criminalization or actively participating in the Tennessee working group, please contact Lauren Fanning at lfanning@hivlawandpolicy.org

TEXAS

The PJP Texas HIV Working Group convened in November and December. Members reached agreement on outreach strategies for new allies and membership and set a timeline for key steps in their advocacy plan. Texas advocates are now using the online forum space created by CHLP, which facilitates communication, exchange of information, and resource editing/creation among the PJP state working groups. Texas advocates drafted an open sign-on letter to the Dallas County prosecutor in support of an HIV positive woman facing multiple felony counts for spitting on emergency responders called to assist her.  The letter was hosted on CHLP’s website and garnered over 150 signatures from individuals representing a diverse range of organizations in more than 25 states. The Working Group is also drafting a template letter intended for news outlets and other media to encourage responsible, accurate, and fair reporting practices around HIV and to provide education on the science of HIV transmission. Planning continues for the upcoming legislative session that begins January 10, including preparation for HIV Advocacy Day on February 28.

Next Meeting: Friday, January 20 at 1:00pm (CT)

Meetings are held on the third Friday of the month.

If you are interested in information about HIV criminalization or actively participating in the Texas HIV Working Group, please contact Stephen Williams at swilliams@hivlawandpolicy.org.

Criminal Case Update

CHLP’s assistance in criminal cases includes counseling defendants and their families, referring defendants to attorneys, providing legal and trial strategy support to criminal defense attorneys, identifying and assisting with preparation of medical and scientific experts, drafting sections of court submissions, and submitting friend-of-the-court briefs.

MISSOURI

On December 20, the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, reversed the conviction of Michael Johnson and remanded his case for a new trial. The court reversed the judgment of the trial court based on the state’s failure to timely comply with Johnson’s discovery request, in violation of Rule 25.03, which prevented Johnson from preparing a meaningful defense in the case. In the words of the Court, “the State’s violation of Rule 25.03 was knowing and intentional and was part of a trial-by-ambush strategy that this Court does not condone and that Rule 25.03 was specifically designed to avoid.” CHLP’s press release and the decision are here.

In the appeal of his conviction, Johnson raised two points. First, that the trial court allowed evidence to be introduced late – the first day of the trial – denying him the fair opportunity to prepare his defense. And second, that his sentence of 30 years for violating Missouri’s HIV transmission and exposure statute violated the constitutional prohibition on cruel and unusual punishments. The court did not reach Johnson’s second point on appeal relating to the constitutionality of his punishment or the issues CHLP raised in its “friend of the court” brief. CHLP’s full brief, including the complete list of endorsing organizations, can be found here.

On January 4, attorneys for the State of Missouri filed a motion for rehearing or transfer in Michael Johnson’s case. The State is contesting the Court of Appeals’ decision reversing his conviction. Stay informed on developments in this case with our newly updated fact sheet and case timeline, which can be found here. In addition, a recent community update webinar by CHLP Deputy Director Mayo Schreiber can be found here.

NEW YORK

On December 15, the New York Court of Appeals denied Nushawn Williams’ request that it review the decision to indefinitely civilly commit him to a New York State Psychiatric Center as a dangerous sex offender based on his sexual activity with women while living with HIV. CHLP, with the support of twelve national and state racial justice, disability, HIV and medical organizations, and four individuals, had filed a brief arguing that Williams represents the only case in New York where an individual has been essentially isolated or quarantined in whole or part based on his HIV status. We also argued that singling out a person living with HIV for this kind of extraordinary treatment under the law violates the Americans with Disabilities Act. We will continue to provide legal support to Williams and are strategizing with his attorney, Mark Davison, on further steps in the case.

OHIO

On December 27, CHLP, with seven national LGBTQ, HIV/medical, and criminal justice organizations, and with pro bono assistance from the law firm Gibbons, P.C. and the Ohio Public Defender acting as local counsel, filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the Ohio Supreme Court arguing that the felonious assault statute violated the federal and Ohio Constitutions and federal disability law. The brief can be found here. Orlando Batista was indicted for felonious assault in July 2014, for allegedly engaging in sexual conduct with his girlfriend without first disclosing his HIV status to her. After the trial court rejected his motion to dismiss, Batista pleaded no contest and the court sentenced him to the maximum term of eight years.

If you are aware of anyone charged in an HIV exposure or transmission case, please refer them to our website, www.hivlawandpolicy.org and/or have them or their lawyer, contact CHLP for assistance at 212-430-6733 or pjp@hivlawandpolicy.org.

US: Broad coalition takes on Missouri's outdated and stigmatizing HIV criminal laws

JEFFERSON CITY — December 1st was World Aids Day and Missouri activists want legislators to change a law concerning those living with HIV.

Right now, in the state of Missouri, any person who exposes someone to HIV could go to prison. If a person contracts HIV the person who gave it to them could go to prison for life. This law has put 82 people in prison since 1997. Activists explain this law is discriminatory and based on outdated science.

Activists on November 30th launched the Missouri HIV Justice Coalition. The group plans to lobby policy makers to repeal the law.

Empower Missouri Executive Director Jeanette Mott Oxford said the laws should be based on accurate science.

She said the current law makes assumptions about HIV transmission that we now know are incorrect.

“We hope that Missouri will modernize their law making it medically accurate and taking away the stigma of people with HIV by taking the HIV specific part out of our criminal code… certainly there should be laws about doing things such as biting people, but you shouldn’t have a higher penalty for being a person with HIV.”

“About 2/3rds of the United States have “HIV-specific” statues that result in prosecutions of those living with HIV for having sexual contact without being able to prove they disclosed their HIV positive status in advance,” according to activist group The Sero Project.

Senator Rob Schaaf, R-St. Joseph, said he could see the laws changing in the future.

“The law is based upon a false premise,” Sen. Schaaf said. “I doubt that there’s a big urgency in changing it, but I think it would eventually be changed to fit our understanding of the true situation.”

Mott Oxford said the Missouri HIV Justice Coalition plans to hold upcoming events to educate more people about the current law. If you are interested in joining the group, you can contact Mott Oxford at Empower Missouri at (573)-634-2901.

Currently there is no legislation to repeal this law.

Published on KCRG TV on Dec 1, 2016

Uganda: 5 months after filing their initial petition, activists renew their call to amend HIV law

Activists renew call for HIV law amendment

By Noah Jagwe

They argue that the law contains clauses that could deter all the benefits in the fight against the scourge.

According to this group, the law instead instills fear in communities about HIV disclosure and also fuels stigmatization.

Earlier this year, some 60 civil society organizations across the country challenged the criminalization of HIVin Uganda as well as other ‘harmful’ provisions in the Act.

Dora Kichoncho Musinguzi, the executive director Uganda Network on Law and Ethics, said the salient features that are scanned out in the law which they consider discriminatory are: Clauses 21, 41 and 43 of the Act that seek to criminalize HIV, particularly intentional transmission.

The Act would require mandatory disclosure of one’s HIV status, failure of which would be regarded as “criminal”, and attempting to or, intentionally transmitting the virus.

Failure to use a condom where one knows their HIV status would constitute a criminal offence, making them liable for prosecution.

The provisions in the HIV Act, according to Kichonco, do not only stigmatize and discriminate against people living with HIV, but also deter communities from seeking HIV services such as HIV testing and subsequently HIV treatment.

“It is five months since we filed the petition. The government has not responded to our case. This is procedurally wrong and negates justice,” she said.

Kichoncho said if the law continues “as we could see”, it would heighten stigmatization of people living with HIV and that many of the targets such as 90% of people knowing their status, 90% of those who with HIV are on treatment and 90% with suppressed  viral load set by the country might not be achieved.

“The law has been counterproductive to all the achievements Uganda has made.”

She said the legal environment in Uganda is not conducive and human rights have not been respected. “Laws that criminalize and stigmatize people with HIV must be repealed.”

Meanwhile, Dorothy Nassolo, communications officer of Forum of People Living with HIV/Aids Networks in Uganda said there is a crisis the country might not stand.

She said a number of patients have been hacked to death because they have been discovered by their spouses for taking ARVs covertly.

National Forum of People Living with HIV/AIDS officer Milly Katana said the most affected group by the law are women through gender-based violence at home.

Katana said it’s better for Uganda to look at other alternatives for instance biomedical tools, medical male circumcision and condoms. –

Published in New Vision on Dec 1, 2016