Discrimination and other human rights abuses are a major barrier to dealing with HIV/AIDS in Asia. It is intolerance of minority groups and active harassment of some people with a higher risk of HIV infection that is now creating a major barrier to improving the prevention measures aimed at combating HIV. Yet few agencies in Asia have sought help from the private sector in tackling HIV and the intolerance of and discrimination of some higher risk groups.

The criminalization of men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender people in Asia is holding back efforts to contain HIV/AIDS in the region, according to a recent report by the U.N. Development Program (UNDP) and Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health. The report linked the criminalization of homosexual behavior to an increase in the infection rate of HIV and AIDS in Asia, particularly India and China. Researchers analyzed legislation, case studies, and other research on laws, and law enforcement policies and practices to assess the legal environments affecting HIV responses among MSM and transgender people in 48 countries and territories of the Asia and Pacific region.

Of the 48 countries in the region, 19 of them – including Afghanistan, Bhutan, Kiribati and Malaysia – have outlawed sex between consenting male adults, with these laws often used by vigilantes in ways that lead to abuse and human rights violations. The report also looks at how police in these regions target MSM and transgender people, and how such targeting interrupts HIV prevention services and educational programs.

Read the full article, including an innovative proposal for the private sector to get more involved, at csr-asia.com.