HIV programs can only be truly effective if sexual minorities are decriminalised
by Laurindo Garcia of Fridae.com
Stuart Koe at Commission Town Hall meeting with Commission Senator Jon Ungphakorn looking on
HIV programs can only be truly effective if sexual minorities are decriminalised, Global Commission told
Over 200 participants from 22 Asia-Pacific countries gathered in Bangkok for a historic dialogue hosted by the Global Commission on HIV and the Law. As of now, 90 percent of countries in the Asia-Pacific region still have laws and practices that obstruct the rights of people living with HIV and those at higher risk of HIV exposure.
(Bangkok) Members of the Asia-Pacific LGBT community, public health workers and civil society came face-to-face with lawmakers, judiciary and police during a rare opportunity to air their grievances and share stories in hopes that a frank discussion on the core issues around HIV might change hearts and ultimately change laws.
The first of six regional dialogues for the Global Commission on HIV and the Law was held in Bangkok on February 16 and 17. The event comes almost midway through the 18-month lifespan of an independent commission, convened with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and tasked to analyse the critical legal and human rights challenges of the HIV epidemic and recommend remedial policies.
Work started for the Commission in June 2010 and its 14 Commissioners – which include former presidents and members of international judiciary in its line-up – are working towards the goal of delivering key findings and recommendations by December 2011.
Read the full story on Fridae.com.
See also APCOM News Stories:
Over 200 participants from 22 Asia-Pacific countries gathered in Bangkok for a historic dialogue hosted by the Global Commission on HIV and the Law. As of now, 90 percent of countries in the Asia-Pacific region still have laws and practices that obstruct the rights of people living with HIV and those at higher risk of HIV exposure.
(Bangkok) Members of the Asia-Pacific LGBT community, public health workers and civil society came face-to-face with lawmakers, judiciary and police during a rare opportunity to air their grievances and share stories in hopes that a frank discussion on the core issues around HIV might change hearts and ultimately change laws.
The first of six regional dialogues for the Global Commission on HIV and the Law was held in Bangkok on February 16 and 17. The event comes almost midway through the 18-month lifespan of an independent commission, convened with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and tasked to analyse the critical legal and human rights challenges of the HIV epidemic and recommend remedial policies.
Work started for the Commission in June 2010 and its 14 Commissioners – which include former presidents and members of international judiciary in its line-up – are working towards the goal of delivering key findings and recommendations by December 2011.
Read the full story on Fridae.com.
See also APCOM News Stories:
- Asia-Pacific Dialogue Examines Legal and Social Barriers to HIV Response
- Asian meeting aims to tackle punitive laws and social barriers against HIV/AIDS progress
- Global Commission on HIV and the Law Reviews Legal Barriers Obstructing Progress on AIDS in Asia-Pacific
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MSM working group prepares for Commission Meeting
APCOM Board Representative for Transgender people testifies to Commission
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UPDATE: The first of several Regional Dialogues will be held in Bangkok on 24-25 February 2011 and the Global Commission on HIV and the Law is now calling for submissions from individuals and civil society groups from the Asia-Pacific region to submit. The Global Commission on HIV and the Law wants to hear from you!
- A sex worker, hijra, drug user, gay, waria, former prisoner, transgender, kothi, or person living with HIV? And have you been wrongfully jailed or harassed by police because of who you are or what you do?
- A woman or a child who has HIV or is widowed or orphaned due to HIV? Have you suffered discrimination or violence and have been unable to get help from the police or the courts?
- An individual or organisation that provides legal or other services to members of marginalised groups? If so, have you documented how the law has meaningfully improved their lives or hindered the full enjoyment of their rights thereby enabling or disabling them from accessing HIV-related services?
- Seeing the effects of intellectual property laws on access to HIV-related treatment access?
- An academic or advocate who contributes to the evidence-base on legal and human rights issues in the context of HIV through research and advocacy work?
Share your experience with the Commission - make a submission today. Selected submissions will be invited to the Regional Dialogue in your area. The deadline for Asia and the Pacific is the 20th of December 2010.
See translations and other information concerning the Commission on hivlawcommission.org.
Click above to download PDF of submission packet
The Commissioners at their first meeting in October 2010
