This comprehensive report documents how mass imprisonment often destroys relationships, healthcare regimens, and employment opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals. As a result, communities with high rates of incarceration also tend to have high rates of HIV infection. The state of HIV care and prevention inside prisons and jails is also examined, and comparisons between states in the U.S. and countries across the globe are explored.
Anti-Homosexuality Bill retains 'aggravated homosexuality' provision for men with HIV
Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS highlights problematic HIV provisions in "counter-productive, discriminatory, unconstitutional and barbaric" Public Health Bill
The Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA), is shocked by the introduction of a Public Health Bill which our Parliament is currently debating. This Bill has some provisions that have no place in a democratic and modern day Botswana. It has provisions that are counter-productive, discriminatory, unconstitutional and barbaric.
allAfrica.com: Zambia: High Court Case On Rights of HIV+ Prisoners
Just two days after World AIDS Day, the Zambia High Court is hearing argument in a case that could set a precedent for the rights of HIV positive prisoners in Zambia – and across southern Africa.
The International HIV/AIDS Alliance warns on Uganda's anti-gay law
Source: member The International HIV/AIDS Alliance warned today that Uganda’s “Anti-Homosexuality Bill” would have a disastrous impact on the country’s HIV response if it becomes law. The Ugandan Parliament is poised to pass a bill which would see any person alleged to be homosexual at risk of life imprisonment.
New law will not include 'aggravated homosexuality' death penalty for gay men with HIV
Uganda will pass a new law against homosexuality by the end of 2012 as a “Christmas gift” to its advocates, the speaker of parliament has said. The AP news agency quoted Rebecca Kadaga as saying that Ugandans were “demanding” the law. The bill, tabled by MP David Bahati, proposes jail terms for homosexual acts, including a life sentence in certain circumstances. It prohibits the “promotion” of gay rights and calls for the punishment of anyone who “funds or sponsors homosexuality” or “abets homosexuality”.But a clause which calls for the death penalty against people found guilty of “aggravated homosexuality” – defined as when one of the participants is a minor, HIV-positive, disabled or a “serial offender” – is to be dropped, Mr Bahati has said.
Dr. Shereen El Feki hopes that legal environment will improve following Global Commission report
This myriad of laws, across multiple legal systems, has one thing in common: by punishing those who have HIV, or the practices that may leave them vulnerable to infection, such laws simply serve to drive people further from disclosure, testing and treatment—fostering, not fighting, the global epidemic. It is time to say, “No more.” Just as we need new science to help fight the viral epidemic, we need new thinking to combat an epidemic of bad laws that is undermining the precious gains made in HIV awareness, prevention and treatment over the past thirty years.
Teens born with HIV not telling partners
A significant number of sexually active U.S. teens who were born with HIV either didn’t know their own status when they started having sex, or they knew it but didn’t disclose it to their first sex partners, a new study says.
Malawi sex workers form alliance following forced HIV tests, disclosure
BLANTYRE–Malawi’s estimated 20,000 sex workers have formed an alliance to fight for their interests and social justice, a lawyer representing them has said, two years after 14 prostitutes sued police and the government for forced HIV tests.
Kenya: HIV, Law and Human Rights symposium calls for repeal of Aids Control Act (Section 24)
- The inaugural national symposium on HIV, Law and Human Rights opened on Tuesday in Nairobi with calls on the Government to repeal the law which criminalises infecting a person who did not have the virus
- HIV Equity Tribunal chairman Ambrose Rachier termed the Aids Control Act (Section 24) “counter-productive”, saying it will make people shun HIV testing
- According to the law, Mr Rachier said those who wilfully infected others with HIV faced “stiff penalties” of up to seven years in jail