Belgium: 26 organisations call for ending the criminalisation of HIV non-disclosure when people are undetectable or used protection

Call to protect people living with HIV from criminal prosecution

Article translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator. For original article in French please scroll down.

“An HIV-positive person on treatment with an undetectable viral load does not transmit the virus,” said Sarah Schlitz (Ecolo), Federal Secretary of State for Equal Opportunities.

Ex Aequo, a non-profit organisation that promotes health and aims to reduce the number of new HIV/AIDS infections among men who have sex with men, is calling on Wednesday for an HIV-positive person whose viral load has been rendered undetectable by treatment, or who uses a means of protection, to no longer be exposed to criminal prosecution if he or she does not announce his or her serological status before having sex. The call is supported by the Federal Secretary of State for Equal Opportunities Sarah Schlitz (Ecolo) and 25 other associations.

“An HIV-positive person on treatment with an undetectable viral load does not transmit the virus”, says Sarah Schlitz. “The images and fears associated with the early years of the HIV epidemic are still very strong. This creates a climate of discrimination and prevents the 20,000 people living with HIV in our country from living their lives in peace.

Widely followed treatments
The announcement in a Swiss journal in 2008 that people with an undetectable viral load had no risk of transmission was confirmed by a large study with HIV-positive couples initiated in 2010. “More than 90% of people living with HIV in Belgium take their treatment,” adds Mike Mayné, president of the association Ex Aequo. “There is no longer any reason to force these people to say they are HIV-positive before having sex, which is a vector of rejection… There is no risk of having sex with an HIV-positive person whose viral load is undetectable, which is not the case with a person who thinks he or she is negative until proven otherwise, and who may not have been tested to know his or her HIV status for several weeks, months or years. He pleads for the consideration of viral load to be anchored in jurisprudence.

“For a long time, there were debates about poisoning, but this did not lead to a decision on the grounds that, in this case, there must be an intention to kill,” recalls Charlotte Pezeril, director of the Observatoire du sida et des sexualités. “There was finally a first conviction in June 2011 which set a precedent.

Some convictions
The Huy criminal court ruled in favour of a newly infected woman and sentenced an HIV-positive man at an advanced stage to three years in prison (two of which were suspended) for “voluntarily administering, without the intention of killing, substances that can cause death or seriously alter health”, according to article 402 of the penal code.

In a case of paid homosexual intercourse, the Brussels correctional court then sentenced in October 2015 (decision confirmed on appeal in May 2017) to 18 months in prison the man paid for attempted administration, without taking into account his treatment and viral load in the proceedings.

There are only a few convictions in Belgium, according to a non-exhaustive data collection, which is also difficult. More broadly, “there was a wave of penalisations that emerged in the years 2000-2010, when we were at a time when effective antiviral treatments had been found”, observes Charlotte Pezeril. “At the beginning, HIV was a great cause for mobilisation, giving rise to solidarity with sufferers, and as long as there was no treatment, the messages called for partners to share responsibility and protect themselves with condoms. With the introduction of penalties, the focus of responsibility has shifted to those who have been diagnosed.

A perilous path
In Canada, where convictions have multiplied, the question of treatment has become central and since 2017 it has been necessary to prove that there is a real risk of transmission. Sarah Schlitz said that she and the Minister of Justice are examining the possibility of clarifying the text on the transmission of a virus when it is not intentional, in the context of the reform of the criminal code. Charlotte Pezeril drew attention to the proposal to insert “malicious dissemination of pathogens”, which is also under discussion.

While this virus is at the heart of a pandemic that has brought about major societal changes, this criminalisation could, in her opinion, open up a dangerous path: “We are now starting to see convictions in Australia for the transmission of syphilis. Now that HIV is treatable and we have case law, why not penalise the transmission of other sexually transmitted infections, or even other transmissible diseases… Penalisation does not seem to be a good public health policy and it has perverse effects in terms of prevention.

Appel pour prémunir les personnes vivant avec le VIH de poursuites au pénal

“Une personne séropositive au VIH sous traitement avec une charge virale indétectable ne transmet pas le virus” a appuyé la secrétaire d’État fédérale à l’Égalité des chances, Sarah Schlitz (Ecolo).

Ex Aequo, asbl de promotion de la santé visant une diminution des nouvelles infections au VIH/sida auprès des hommes qui ont des relations sexuelles avec d’autres hommes, plaide mercredi pour qu’une personne séropositive dont la charge virale est rendue indétectable par son traitement, ou utilisant un moyen de protection, ne soit plus exposée à des poursuites pénales si elle n’annonce pas son statut sérologique avant un rapport sexuel. Cet appel est soutenu par la secrétaire d’État fédérale à l’Égalité des chances Sarah Schlitz (Ecolo) et 25 autres associations.

« Une personne séropositive au VIH sous traitement avec une charge virale indétectable ne transmet pas le virus », met en exergue Sarah Schlitz. « Les images et les peurs liées aux premières années de l’épidémie du VIH restent très fortes. Cela crée un climat propice à la discrimination et empêche les 20.000 personnes vivant avec le VIH dans notre pays de vivre leur vie sereinement».

Traitements largement suivis
L’annonce dans une revue suisse de 2008 de l’annihilation du risque de transmission pour les personnes ayant une charge virale indétectable a été confirmée par une large étude avec des couples sérodifférents initiée en 2010. « Plus de 90% des personnes vivant avec le VIH en Belgique prennent leur traitement », ajoute Mike Mayné, président de l’association Ex Aequo. « Il n’y a donc plus de raison d’obliger ces gens à dire qu’ils sont porteurs avant un rapport sexuel, ce qui est vecteur de rejet… Il n’y a pas de risque d’avoir des rapports sexuels avec une personne séropositive dont la charge virale est indétectable, ce qui n’est pas le cas avec une personne qui pense être négative jusqu’à preuve du contraire, et qui n’a peut-être pas fait de test pour connaître son statut sérologique depuis plusieurs semaines, mois ou années ». Il plaide pour que la considération de la charge virale trouve ancrage dans la jurisprudence.

« Il y a eu pendant longtemps des débats autour de l’empoisonnement, mais cela n’a pas abouti au motif qu’il faut dans ce cas retenir une intention de tuer », rappelle Charlotte Pezeril, directrice de l’Observatoire du sida et des sexualités. « Il y a finalement eu une première condamnation en juin 2011 qui a fait jurisprudence ».

Quelques condamnations
Le tribunal correctionnel de Huy a donné raison à une femme nouvellement contaminée et a condamné un homme séropositif à un stade avancé à trois ans de prison (dont deux ans de sursis) pour avoir « administré volontairement, mais sans intention de tuer, des substances qui peuvent donner la mort ou altérer gravement la santé », selon l’article 402 du code pénal.

Dans une affaire de rapport homosexuel rémunéré, le tribunal correctionnel de Bruxelles a ensuite condamné en octobre 2015 (décision confirmée en appel en mai 2017) à 18 mois de prison l’homme payé pour tentative d’administration, sans prise en compte de son traitement et de sa charge virale dans les débats.

Il n’est question que de quelques condamnations en Belgique, selon une collecte des données non exhaustive, qui s’avère en outre difficile. Plus largement, « il y a eu une vague de pénalisations qui a émergé dans les années 2000-2010, alors qu’on était à une période où on avait trouvé des traitements antiviraux efficaces », observe Charlotte Pezeril. « Au début, le VIH était une grande cause de mobilisation suscitant solidarité avec les malades et tant qu’il n’y avait pas traitement, les messages appelaient à la coresponsabilité des partenaires, à se protéger avec des préservatifs. Avec les pénalisations, la responsabilisation ne s’est plus portée que sur les personnes diagnostiquées ».

Voie périlleuse
Au Canada où les condamnations se sont démultipliées, la question du traitement est devenue centrale et il faut depuis 2017 prouver qu’il y a un risque réel de transmission. Sarah Schlitz a indiqué examiner, avec le ministre de la Justice, la possibilité de clarifier le texte sur la transmission d’un virus lorsqu’elle n’est pas intentionnelle, dans le cadre de la réforme du code pénal. Charlotte Pezeril quant à elle attire l’attention sur la proposition d’insérer la « dissémination malveillante d’agents pathogènes », également en discussion.

Alors que ce virus est au coeur d’une pandémie qui a amené de grandes changements sociétaux, cette pénalisation pourrait selon elle ouvrir une voie périlleuse: « On commence aujourd’hui à avoir en Australie des condamnations pour transmission de syphilis. Maintenant que le VIH est traitable et qu’on a une jurisprudence, pourquoi ne pas aller pénaliser la transmission d’autres infections sexuellement transmissibles, voire d’autres pathologies transmissibles… La pénalisation ne semble pas être une bonne politique de santé publique et elle a des effets pervers au niveau de la prévention ».

Brazil: Litigation clinic and HIV organisation request leave to submit an amicus brief in discrimination case against the airforce

Armed Forces accused of discriminating against people with HIV

Automated translation via Deepl. For original article in Portuguese, please scroll down.

FGV Law Group and NGO want to act in a lawsuit against the Air Force

A group from FGV Direito and another that campaigns on behalf of people living with HIV requested on Tuesday (30) from the TRF (Federal Regional Court) of the 2nd region, in Rio de Janeiro, their permission to file an amicus curiae (friend of the court) in a lawsuit against the Armed Forces for discrimination against people living with HIV.

Although Brazilian law condemns any form of prejudice and discrimination against HIV-positive people, the Armed Forces require an HIV test and, if the result is positive, prevents the person from entering the military.

However, there is ample scientific evidence showing that people with HIV may not develop the disease if they are under treatment. Many even have undetectable viral loads for years, which means that they do not transmit the virus.

The lawsuit that motivated the action of the two entities is in progress since 2018 and is brought by a business administrator from Rio de Janeiro who was barred from entry-level competition in the Air Force for being a person living with HIV. “Unfit for purpose”, says the medical report of the Air Force.

Seropositive for 11 years, he has always worked in administrative activities, has proof of full physical and mental health and is being treated with antiretroviral drugs, in addition to clinical follow-up.

Through an injunction, Silva joined the Air Force, but six months later, in the first internal competition, he had his promotion to second lieutenant annulled and was excluded from the Armed Forces. He appealed the decision in the TRF, and the appeal has not yet been judged.

It was almost an ambush. It is evident that the same thing would happen [a positive result for HIV],” says lawyer Eloisa Machado, professor of the Strategic Litigation of Human Rights Clinic at FGV Law in São Paulo, who filed the amicus curiae request together with GIV (Life Incentive Group).

The friend of the court is a process in Brazilian law that guarantees the participation of public agencies and civil society entities in judicial proceedings. The action is based on manifestations on controversial issues or those requiring technical knowledge for analysis. The FGV students studied the suit for six months, according to Machado.

For the lawyer, competition edicts and internal military norms attribute to people living with HIV a definitive incapacity, preventing not only entry into the Armed Forces but also eventual promotions of people who contracted the virus after being admitted.

“Our attempt [as amicus curiae] is perhaps to reverse this latest area of formal discrimination against people living with HIV,” Machado says.

According to her, a revision of the statute in the Armed Forces is necessary, since a positive diagnosis of the HIV virus solely does not mean inability to exercise any functions.

The mathematics professor from USP Jorge Beloqui, from GIV, reinforces that, without this updating of the rules, more cases of discrimination, without any scientific basis, will continue to occur.

For him, the consequences of discrimination at work on a person living with HIV go beyond an isolated case and end up affecting all HIV-positive people.

Although criticised, this attitude from the Air Force is not illegal. In previous positions on the subject, the technical advisory of the Ministry of Defense reported that, by law, the Armed Forces have “autonomy to decide not to accept candidates who present some kind of debilitation that prevents them from exercising their positions”.

Private companies and other public institutions, on the other hand, are prohibited from asking for an HIV test for job applicants. Law No. 11,199/2002 considers that it is discrimination towards people with HIV and people with AIDS to require an HIV test in competition applications or selection to enter public and private service.

The Ministry of Defence’s press office had not replied regarding the publication of this text.

Forças Armadas são acusadas de discriminar pessoas com HIV

Grupo da FGV Direito e ONG querem atuar em processo contra a Aeronáutica

Um grupo da FGV Direito e outro que milita a favor das pessoas vivendo com HIV-Aids solicitaram nesta terça (30) ao TRF (Tribunal Regional Federal) da 2ª região, do Rio de Janeiro, sua permissão como amicus curiae (amigo da corte) em ação movida contra as Forças Armadas por discriminação de pessoas vivendo com HIV.

Embora a legislação brasileira condene qualquer forma de preconceito e discriminação aos portadores de HIV, as Forças Armadas exigem o exame que detecta o vírus e, diante de um resultado positivo, impede que a pessoa ingresse na carreira militar.

Ocorre que há fartas evidências científicas demonstrando que as pessoas com HIV podem não desenvolver a doença se estiverem sob tratamento. Muitas, inclusive, estão com cargas virais indetectáveis há anos, o que significa que também não transmitem o vírus.

O processo que motivou a atuação das duas entidades tramita desde 2018 e é movido por um administrador de empresas do Rio de Janeiro que foi barrado em concurso de ingresso na Aeronáutica por ser pessoa vivendo com HIV. “Incapaz para o fim que se destina”, diz o laudo médico da Aeronáutica.

Soropositivo há 11 anos, ele sempre trabalhou em atividades administrativas, tem comprovação de plena saúde física e mental e está em tratamento com antirretrovirais, além de acompanhamento clínico.

Por meio de uma liminar, Silva chegou a ingressar na Aeronáutica, mas, seis meses depois, no primeiro concurso interno, ele teve sua promoção para segundo tenente anulada e foi excluído das Forças Armadas. Ele recorreu da decisão no TRF, e o recurso ainda não foi julgado.

Foi quase uma emboscada. É evidente que ia dar a mesma coisa [resultado positivo para o HIV]”, diz a advogada Eloísa Machado, professora da Clínica de Litigância Estratégica de Direitos Humanos da FGV Direito de São Paulo, que ingressou com o pedido de amicus curiae junto com o GIV (Grupo de Incentivo à Vida).

O amigo da corte é uma figura do direito brasileiro que garante a participação de órgãos públicos e entidades da sociedade civil em processos judiciais. A atuação se dá com base em manifestações sobre assuntos polêmicos ou que necessitem de conhecimento técnico para análise. Os alunos da FGV estudaram a ação durante seis meses, segundo Machado.

Para a advogada, os editais de concurso e as normas internas militares imputam às pessoas vivendo com HIV uma incapacidade definitiva, impedindo não só o ingresso nas Forças Armadas como eventuais promoções de pessoas que contraíram o vírus depois de serem admitidas.

“Nossa tentativa [como amicus curiae] é talvez reverter esse último espaço de discriminação formal contra pessoas convivendo com HIV”, afirma Machado.

Segundo ela, é necessária uma revisão no estatuto nas Forças Armadas, já que apenas o diagnóstico positivo do vírus HIV não significa incapacidade para exercício de quaisquer funções.

O professor de matemática da USP Jorge Beloqui, do GIV, reforça que, sem essa atualização das normas, mais casos de discriminação, sem nenhum embasamento científico, vão continuar ocorrendo.

Para ele, as consequências da discriminação no trabalho sobre uma pessoa vivendo com HIV vão além de um caso isolado e acabam atingindo todos os soropositivos.

Embora criticada, essa atitude da Aeronáutica não é proibida. Em posicionamentos anteriores sobre o assunto, a assessoria técnica do Ministério da Defesa informou que, por lei, as Forças Armadas têm “autonomia para decidir não aceitar candidatos que apresentarem algum tipo de debilitação que os impeça de exercer seus cargos”.

Já as empresas privadas e outras instituições públicas estão proibidas de pedir o exame de HIV aos aspirantes a vagas de trabalho. A lei nº 11.199/2002 considera discriminação aos portadores do HIV e das pessoas com Aids a exigência de exames de detecção do vírus em inscrições de concurso ou seleção para ingressar no serviço público e privado.

Procurada, a assessoria de imprensa do Ministério da Defesa não se manifestou até a publicação deste texto.

Russia: Medical documents showing negative HIV status and no drug addiction required for stays over 90 days

Migrants may be required to provide the Ministry of Internal Affairs with a certificate of the absence of HIV infection

Automated translation – For original article in Russian, please scroll down

MOSCOW, November 19. / TASS /. Labor migrants and foreign citizens who have arrived in Russia for a period of more than 90 days may be obliged to provide the Ministry of Internal Affairs with medical documents showing the absence of drug addiction and HIV infection from December 29. This follows from the draft order prepared by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, which was reviewed by TASS.

“To approve the procedure for submission by foreign citizens and stateless persons who arrived in the Russian Federation for purposes not related to the implementation of labor activities, for a period exceeding 90 calendar days, or for the purpose of labor activity, to the territorial body of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation <…> documents confirming the passage of a medical examination for the presence or absence of the fact of their use of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances without a doctor’s prescription or new potentially dangerous psychoactive substances, infectious diseases that pose a danger to others, <…> and a disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV -infection) “, – the document says. At the same time, it is noted that “this order comes into force on December 29, 2021”.

As follows from the document, foreigners must submit medical documents to the Ministry of Internal Affairs within 30 days from the date of expiration of the previously issued medical documents confirming that they have passed a medical examination. In the event that a foreign citizen has not reached the age of 18 or is recognized by a court as incompetent, documents can be submitted by one of his parents, guardians or trustees.

“Medical documents can be submitted at the place of residence of a foreign citizen on paper – directly to the migration department of the territorial body of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, or to an enterprise or an authorized organization, or in the form of an electronic document signed with an enhanced qualified electronic signature, using the federal state information the system “A single portal of state and municipal services (functions)” to the territorial body of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, “the draft order says.

In the event that the documents are drawn up in a foreign language, then they must be translated into Russian, the correctness of which must be notarized. Upon admission, the authorized person must check the full compliance of the documents with the established standards, and then issue a certificate of receipt. At the same time, if a migrant submits medical documents in electronic form, then an electronic message is sent to him about their acceptance no later than the working day following the day they were received. Subsequently, information about the receipt of medical documents is entered into the information system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, intended for the provision of public services, within three working days from the date of their receipt.

Мигрантов могут обязать предоставлять в МВД справки об отсутствии ВИЧ-инфекции

Приказ может вступить в силу 29 декабря

МОСКВА, 19 ноября. /ТАСС/. Трудовых мигрантов и иностранных граждан, прибывших в Россию на срок более 90 дней, могут обязать с 29 декабря предоставлять в МВД медицинские документы об отсутствии у них наркозависимости и ВИЧ-инфекции. Это следует из подготовленного МВД РФ проекта приказа, с которым ознакомился ТАСС.

“Утвердить порядок представления иностранными гражданами и лицами без гражданства, прибывшими в РФ в целях, не связанных с осуществлением трудовой деятельности, на срок, превышающий 90 календарных дней, либо в целях осуществления трудовой деятельности, в территориальный орган МВД РФ <…> медицинских документов, подтверждающих прохождение медицинского освидетельствования на наличие или отсутствие факта употребления ими наркотических средств или психотропных веществ без назначения врача либо новых потенциально опасных психоактивных веществ, инфекционных заболеваний, представляющих опасность для окружающих, <…> и заболевания, вызываемого вирусом иммунодефицита человека (ВИЧ-инфекции)”, – говорится в документе. При этом отмечается, что “настоящий приказ вступает в силу с 29 декабря 2021 года”.

Как следует из документа, представить медицинские документы в МВД иностранцы должны в течение 30 дней со дня истечения срока действия ранее выданных медицинских документов, подтверждающих прохождение ими медицинского освидетельствования. В случае, если иностранный гражданин не достиг 18 лет или признан судом недееспособным, документы может представить один из его родителей, опекунов или попечителей.

“Медицинские документы могут быть представлены по месту пребывания иностранного гражданина на бумажном носителе – непосредственно в подразделение по вопросам миграции территориального органа МВД России, либо в предприятие или уполномоченную организацию, либо в форме электронного документа, подписанного усиленной квалифицированной электронной подписью, с использованием федеральной государственной информационной системы “Единый портал государственных и муниципальных услуг (функций)” в территориальный орган МВД России”, – отмечается в проекте приказа.

В том случае, если документы составлены на иностранном языке, то они подлежат переводу на русский язык, верность которого должна быть нотариально засвидетельствована. Уполномоченное лицо при приеме должно проверить полное соответствии документов установленным нормам, после чего выдать справку об их получении. При этом, если мигрант подает медицинские документы в электронном виде, то ему направляется электронное сообщение об их приеме не позднее рабочего дня, следующего за днем их получения. В последующем сведения о получении медицинских документов вносятся в информационную систему МВД России, предназначенную для предоставления государственных услуг, в течение трех рабочих дней с даты их получения.

Mexico: Two deputies present a bill in Mexico City to reform the law around HIV exposure and transmission

“They go against penalties for HIV transmission “

The deputies Ana Francis López and Temístocles Villanueva, from Morena, presented an initiative to eliminate the penalties of three months to 10 years in prison stipulated in the Penal Code against those who transmit the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) to another person, even when having knowledge of their diagnosis.

Although the law is not explicit in mentioning HIV as a transmission that warrants imprisonment, it has been used to initiate proceedings against people living with the virus.

As was the case of a man who was arrested by the Attorney General’s Office on June 3, for incurring “danger of contagion.”

The deputies accuse the law to be ambiguous. They point out that the term “incurable diseases” is imprecise, and gives rise to the jurisdictional authority deciding which are the diseases that are considered serious.

The initiative of López and Villanueva proposes to reform Article 76 in order to eliminate the penalties for danger of contagion and to repeal Article 159 of the Penal Code of Mexico City; it was turned over to the Commissions for the Procurement and Administration of Justice for analysis.

Civil organisations have fought for this repeal, something recommended by UNAIDS, since they state that it criminalises those living with HIV, .

“The Joint United Nations Program on HIV and AIDS has insisted that countries must carry out reforms and make commitments in the framework of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, in order to eliminate discriminatory laws,” they quote in the proposal.

Van contra penas por transmisión de VIH

Los diputados Ana Francis López y Temístocles Villanueva, de Morena, presentaron una iniciativa para eliminar las penas de tres meses a 10 años de prisión contempladas en el Código Penal en contra de quienes transmitan el Virus de Inmunodeficiencia Humana (VIH) a otra persona, aun teniendo conocimiento de su diagnóstico.

Aunque la ley no es explícita al mencionar al VIH como una transmisión que amerite prisión, se ha utilizado para iniciar procedimientos contras personas que viven con el virus.

Como lo fue el caso de un hombre que fue detenido por la Fiscalía General de Justicia el 3 de junio pasado, por incurrir en “peligro de contagio”.

Los diputados acusan que la ley es ambigua, pues señalan que el término “enfermedades incurables” es impreciso, lo que da pie a que la autoridad jurisdiccional decida cuales son las enfermedades que se consideran graves.

La iniciativa de López y Villanueva propone reformar el Artículo 76 para eliminar las penas por peligro de contagio y derogar el Artículo 159 del Código Penal de la Ciudad de México; fue turnada a las comisiones de Procuración y Administración de Justicia para su análisis.

Organizaciones civiles han pugnado por esta derogación, ya que acusan que criminaliza a quienes viven con VIH, algo que ONUSIDA ha recomendado.

“El Programa Conjunto de las Naciones Unidas para el VIH y el SIDA ha insistido en que los países deben realizar reformas y adquirir compromisos en el marco de la Agenda 2030 para el desarrollo sostenible, con el fin de eliminar las leyes discriminatorias”, citan en la propuesta.

UPDATE: Speakers now confirmed for #BeyondBlame2021!

REGISTER HERE

Beyond Blame, our flagship meeting for activists, human rights defenders, criminal legal system and public health system actors, healthcare professionals, researchers, and anyone else working to end HIV criminalisation, is returning for a special eve-of-World AIDS Day edition.

Following the success of last year’s Beyond Blame @ HIV2020, which was reimagined as a two-hour web show, the HIV JUSTICE WORLDWIDE coalition is delighted to announce that Beyond Blame: Challenging Criminalisation for HIV JUSTICE WORLDWIDE will take place on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, from 6-8 PM Central European Time. Check this link to find the event in your local time.

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Beyond Blame is a unique opportunity to learn why HIV criminalisation matters, as well as hear about the wide range of initiatives and strategies that have been used by activists, lawyers, networks, and organisations around the world to work towards ending the inappropriate use of criminal law to regulate and punish people living with HIV.

We will be highlighting some of the successes and challenges of the global movement to end HIV criminalisation over the past year, including work on ending the criminalisation of women living with HIV for breastfeeding, exploring whether scientific advances, such as the prevention benefit of treatment (U=U) and Molecular HIV Surveillance, help or hinder our movement and much, much more.

Beyond Blame will take place in English, with interpretation available in French, Russian and Spanish.

Follow the conversation on Twitter via #BeyondBlame2021 #HIVJustice

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Kyrgyzstan: CEDAW recommends the decriminalisation of HIV transmission through consensual sex

Concluding observations from the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on the fifth periodic report of Kyrgyzstan

43. The Committee welcomes the decision of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of 27 January 2021 to declare unconstitutional the provisions precluding persons living with HIV/AIDS from adoption, guardianship and foster parenting. However, the Committee is concerned about the criminalisation of HIV/AIDS transmission through consensual sexual relations between adults, impediments to access to healthcare, discriminatory terminology, reported isolation from children and barriers to access childcare facilities for women living with HIV/AIDS.

44. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Decriminalise the transmission of HIV/AIDS (article 149 of the Criminal Code) through consensual sexual relations between adults;

(b) Ensure access to healthcare, including confidential testing, antiretroviral treatment, psychological support and the confidentiality of information regarding women’s HIV status, and impose deterrent penalties for the disclosure of such status;

(d) Ensure that women living with HIV/AIDS are not isolated from their children based on their HIV status and have adequate access to childcare facilities free from stigmatization; and

(e) Prohibit the practice of employers requiring HIV certificates for accessing and keeping employment.

In September 2021 EWNA jointly with Women’s Network of Key Communities submitted the alternative report with particular focus on HIV criminalisation in Kyrgyzstan

Mexico: “Danger of contagion”, an offence under article 159 of the Penal Code of Mexico Federal District, declared unconstitutional

Judge grants protection to person accused of HIV infection

Automatic translation – For original text in Spanish, please scroll down.

Judge declares the crime indicated in the penal code of Mexico City as unconstitutional for violating fundamental rights.

The firm Ramírez, Penilla, Rubio, Cuadra, Abogados, S.C. reported that on October 4 they were notified of the sentence issued by the titular Judge of the Sixteenth District Court of Amparo in Criminal Matters of Mexico City in the protection trial filed in favor of Juan N, who was linked to the process in June this year for the crime of danger of contagion.

They indicated that the sentence establishes, among other things, the unconstitutionality of the crime of danger of contagion established in article 159 of the Penal Code for the Federal District because the contested norm does not approve the constitutional and conventional standards of suitability and proportionality as it violates of the first article of the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States and of the 26 of the American Convention of Human Rights.

“We congratulate ourselves for the issuance of this jurisdictional decision that reflects the recognition of human rights in the broadest spectrum and we urge that this important precedent be translated into the elimination of all forms of discrimination and criminalization of the health condition of women. people, “they celebrated.

Finally, the lawyer Olivia Rubio ratified the commitment of her signature in obtaining justice, especially for those who belong to priority attention groups.

Jueza concede amparo a persona acusada de contagio de VIH

Declara inconstitucional delito señalado en el código penal de la ciudad de México por contravenir derechos fundamentales.

El despacho Ramírez, Penilla, Rubio, Cuadra, Abogados, S.C. informó que el 4 de octubre fueron notificados de la sentencia emitida por la Jueza titular del Juzgado Decimosexto de Distrito de Amparo en Materia Penal de la Ciudad de México en el juicio de amparo interpuesto a favor de Juan N, quien fue vinculado a proceso en junio de este año por el delito de peligro de contagio.

Señalaron que la sentencia establece, entre otras cosas, la inconstitucionalidad del delito de peligro de contagio establecido en el artículo 159 del Código Penal para el Distrito Federal debido a que la norma combatida no aprueba los estándares constitucionales y convencionales de idoneidad y proporcionalidad al ser violatoria del artículo primero de la Constitución Política de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos y del 26 de la Convención Americana de los Derechos Humanos.

“Nos congratulamos por la emisión de esta decisión jurisdiccional que es reflejo del reconocimiento de los derechos humanos en el espectro más amplio e instamos para que este importante precedente se traduzca en la eliminación de toda forma de discriminación y criminalización de la condición de salud de las personas”, celebraron.

Finalmente, la abogada Olivia Rubio ratificó el compromiso de su firma en la obtención de justicia, especialmente para quienes pertenecen a grupos de atención prioritaria.

Report: End HIV criminalisation to address LGBT+ inequities

A new report published by the Global Equality Caucus examines what elected officials can do to ensure LGBT+ people receive equitable access to HIV healthcare.

The report titled Breaking barriers in HIV: Action for legislators to address LGBT+ inequities, includes ten recommendations for legislators and others to take forward, including repealing or modernising outdated HIV criminalisation laws, and doing more to safeguard health data privacy.

The report notes that HIV criminalisation laws are “out of step with modern scientific understanding and perpetuate outdated HIV stigmas.” Removing such laws would help to tackle prejudice and refocus HIV as a public health crisis.

Also relevant to our ongoing work on molecular HIV surveillance, the report further recommends that where data is collected, anonymity should always be assured, and “this applies to HIV testing, immigration status, or whatever other circumstances that may place LGBT+ people in danger should their health data be shared with other government authorities.”

Parliamentarians have a responsibility to ensure government departments respect the privacy of citizens and that health data is not being shared with agencies that could present additional barriers to the lives of LGBT+ people, such as immigration authorities or justice departments.

US: New Jersey’s Acting Attorney General issues science-informed prosecutorial guidance for application of HIV criminalisation law

New Guidance on Prosecuting HIV Crimes in New Jersey

In stressing U=U, New Jersey’s acting attorney general wants to ensure that no one living with HIV is charged unjustly.

New Jersey’s Acting Attorney General Andrew Bruck issued new guidance regarding enforcement of a 24-year-old law that criminalizes certain activities by people living with HIV, according to a press release from Bruck’s office.

Specifically, the guidance directs prosecutors to take into account three factors when deciding whether to charge someone under the state’s HIV crime law. The guidance is based on modern scientific knowledge about how HIV is and isn’t contracted—notably that people who maintain an undetectable viral load do no transmit HIV via sex, a fact known as Undetectable Equals Untransmittable, or U=U. What’s more, the guidance follows the lead of several professional organizations, including the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association and the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division.

The state law in question is NJSA 2C:34-5(b). Enacted in 1997, the law “made it a third-degree crime for an individual living with HIV to engage in an ‘act of sexual penetration’ without the informed consent of their partner,” according to the two-page guidance, which adds that the disease was then thought to be a death sentence.

Thanks to modern treatment, HIV mortality and transmission risk have been greatly reduced. However, the guidance continues, stigma remains a public health challenge and crime laws discourage people from getting tested and accessing treatment.

The guidance then states:

Of course, NJSA 2C:34-5(b) remains on the books, and it is the responsibility of the legislature—not prosecutors—to decide whether and how the law should be modified. And while relatively few individuals are charged with violating NJSA 2C:34-5(b), it is helpful to provide statewide guidance to ensure that its enforcement does not undermine current public-health strategies.

As always, prosecutors retain significant discretion in deciding whether and under what circumstances to charge individuals with certain criminal offenses. In deciding whether to charge a violation of NJSA 2C:34-5(b), prosecutors should consider the following factors:

• Whether the individual forced or coerced their partner to engage in sexual activity;

• Whether the individual engaged in sexual activity for the purpose of transmitting HIV to their partner; and/or

• Whether the individual was adhering to a medically appropriate HIV treatment plan at the time of the sexual activity.

It is virtually impossible to imagine a scenario where it would be appropriate for a prosecutor to charge an individual with NJSA 2C:34-5(b) when that person’s HIV viral load was undetectable at the time of the sexual activity and no aggravating factors existed. Prosecutors who are considering criminal charges in such circumstances must consult with the Director of the Division of Criminal Justice before proceeding.

“This guidance is designed to ensure that people are not prosecuted unjustly and that we do not undermine public health strategies aimed at encouraging testing, treatment and prevention,” the acting attorney general said in the press release.

“The guidance that we are providing to prosecutors makes clear that this state law should be enforced only when specific aggravating factors are present,” added director Lyndsay Ruotolo of the Division of Criminal Justice. “Our goal is to ensure that if anyone living with HIV is criminally charged under this statute, it is done justly and consistently.”

“We recognize that 40 years after the first…reported AIDS case in this country, medical advancements have dramatically changed outcomes for individuals living with HIV. However, outdated laws such as this have remained on the books and are highly discriminatory, have not proven to reduce HIV transmission and discourage individuals from learning their HIV status,” said Hudson County prosecutor Esther Suarez, president of the County Prosecutors Association of New Jersey. “Acting Attorney General Bruck’s guidance issued today will ensure that individuals living with HIV in New Jersey are not unjustly stigmatized or prosecuted and will reinforce public health protocols that are critical to sustaining the progress made in treatment of this disease.”

US: Pennsylvania House Democratic Policy Committee hears testimonies against HIV criminalisation laws

‘HIV is not a crime’: Pennsylvania House panel tackles outdated laws targeting those living with the virus

By: Frank Pizzoli

‘HIV is not a crime but there are outdated laws that make it a crime in Pennsylvania. We cannot have people losing lives and livelihoods because of this,’ Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta said.

About 20 people gathered Wednesday in the East Wing of the State Capitol to unveil the “Living a Positive Life” mural commissioned by the Family Health Council as part of its Take Control of HIV campaign.

“We are here today to broadcast loud and clear that HIV is no longer a death sentence,” Patricia Fonzi, the CEO of the Family Health Council of Central Pennsylvania said.

The mural was created by well-known Harrisburg-based artist Stephen Michael Haas, a multi-disciplined artist inspired by the likes of late 90s cartoons and Super Mario’s squirrels.

In 2018, there were 36,144 people living with HIV in Pennsylvania. In 2018, 1,023 people were newly diagnosed with HIV, according to aidsvu.org.

“Whether infected long-term or a more recently, there is hope like never before,” Fonzi told the Capital-Star. Current medications can control HIV to the point where the virus is ‘undetectable’ on a lab test.

Furthering the push by HIV service organizations is the scientifically researched concept of Undetectable = Untransmittable or U=U for shorthand. More than 750 organizations worldwide, according to aidsmap.com, and including the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the Centers of Disease Control, and the World Health Organization “agree that people with HIV whose viral load is stably suppressed cannot sexually transmit the virus.”

In non-professional terms, U=U means “if a person with HIV is on HIV meds (antiretroviral therapy, or ART) with a consistently undetectable HIV viral load, the virus cannot be transmitted to a sex partner,” according to the US Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs.

Change outdated laws?

Although not coordinated with the mural’s unveiling, transmitting HIV to a sexual partner formed the basis of a hearing held the same morning before the House Democratic Policy Committee under the direction of Philadelphia Democratic Reps. Mary Isaacson and Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta.

“Pennsylvania has laws on the books that criminalize or control behaviors through HIV-specific statues and regulations.” Kenyatta said in a statement.“HIV is not a crime but there are outdated laws that make it a crime in Pennsylvania. We cannot have people losing lives and livelihoods because of this.”

The policy committee heard from Cumberland County resident Julie Graham, who described the impact of these laws on her life after she was charged with four crimes, including two felonies, based on allegations by a man she had dated who claimed she didn’t disclose her HIV status. Due to these allegations, she faced personal and professional consequences that forever impacted the trajectory of her life.

“I support and applaud your courage and advocacy to testify here today,” Rep. Isaacson expressed to Graham. “Being HIV positive is not a crime and we must do better in supporting those in Pennsylvania who are living with HIV.”

House Democratic Policy Committee Chairman Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie, was also in attendance adding, “HIV decriminalization is important to the entire Democratic Caucus and I am grateful to the testifiers who came today to speak on this important topic.”

Other testifiers during the hearing include Adrian Shanker, executive director, Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center, Steven Bryson, SERO Legal Fellow, AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania, and Michelle Troxell, Pennsylvania Co-Chair, Positive Women’s Network USA. They each shared data that show the impact of these laws on the lives of Pennsylvanians and support changes to the laws.

Michelle Troxell, representing the Positive Women’s Network and a nurse, told the committee she has lived with HIV for 32 years. Her testimony noted that “while I have seen many advances in the way we medically treat people living with HIV, I have barely seen any advances in the way we treat people living with HIV.” See meant the laws that govern how HIV is handled within the legal system.

“HIV criminalization fuels stigma. Stigma, fear, criminalization, and discrimination based on my HIV status impacts many decisions in my life, such as starting a new job, changing employers, getting health insurance, trying to get life insurance, starting a relationship, or ending a relationship.” She pointed out that “HIV criminalization is the criminalization of behaviors that would not be a criminal act for anyone not living with HIV – HIV criminalization laws reduce people, like me, to our viral status. It is dehumanizing and disempowering.”

Also testifying was Steven R. Bryson, a Sero Project Fellow and staff attorney with the AIDS Law Project of PA. He explained what is confusing to many people about the state’s HIV laws.

“Pennsylvania does not have HIV-specific criminal laws mandating disclosure of one’s HIV positive status prior to engaging in sexual contact. Nor does it specifically outlaw the perceived, potential or actual HIV exposure or transmission,” Bryson’s submitted testimony noted. Instead, his testimony clarifies, “Pennsylvania uses generally applicable criminal laws to prosecute people with HIV even when the act in question has little or no risk of transmitting HIV.”

The hearing was closed with comments from Rep. Kenyatta who said: “Here in Pennsylvania, we can and should do better than this. So many other states have updated their laws and we must work to get these laws off our books.”

Testimony is available at www.pahouse.com/policy.

Mural campaign statewide

The statewide Take Control of HIV campaign is a collaboration of five organizations: AIDSNET (Mideast), Family Health Council of Central (South Central), North Central District AIDS Coalition (North Central), Northwest Alliance-Clarion University (Northwest), and United Way of Wyoming Valley (North East). Collectively, the sponsoring entities provide a range of vital services and care for thousands of women and children and adolescents each year, which include HIV-AIDS support services.

The mural is full of colorful graphics and messaging regarding the importance of open communication about HIV. On display at the capitol for the month of October, the goal of the mural is to empowers individuals to thrive no matter their HIV status. The mural was created by well-known Harrisburg-based artist Stephen Michael Haas, a multi-disciplined artist inspired by the likes of late 90s cartoons and Super Mario’s squirrels.

Lead organizer Family Health Council of Central PA, Inc. works within a 24-county region with hospitals, federally funded community health centers, freestanding clinics, direct service agencies, WIC centers, HIV/AIDS service organizations, another community-based organizations to provide services to thousands who might otherwise go without needed care.

To learn more, visit www.TakecontrolHIV.com