UNAIDS urges action to change discriminatory laws

Mar 03, 2019 News

In 2018, a number of countries made landmark decisions to change discriminatory laws and bills. The Supreme Court of India, for example, struck down Section 377 of the Penal Code, which criminalized same-sex sexual relations, while the Philippines lowered the age of consent for voluntary HIV testing without the need to obtain consent from a parent or guardian to 15 years, and Malawi removed provisions from a draft bill that would have criminalized HIV non-disclosure, exposure and transmission.
To keep this pace going, on Zero Discrimination Day [March 1], UNAIDS amplified the equal dignity and worth of every person, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and is calling for action to change discriminatory laws and practices, which are a significant barrier for access to health and other services.

Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS

“Human rights violations are happening all over the world because of discriminatory laws and practices,” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS.
“Laws must protect, not cause harm. All countries must carefully examine their laws and policies in order to ensure equality and protection for all people, without exception,” he added even as he pointed out that raising awareness, mobilizing and taking action are essential.
On Zero Discrimination Day, UNAIDS proposed specific actions that individuals, civil society organizations, parliamentarians and donor organizations can take to change discriminatory laws. These range from being an ally to someone affected by a discriminatory law to joining a non-governmental organization, tabling amendments to laws and calling for reviews of legislation.
UNAIDS is convinced that making a positive change is possible and there are many ways a law can be amended or abolished.
These include, among other things, reforming or removing laws through parliamentary processes and the votes of parliamentarians. The UN body therefore recognises as essential the raising of awareness among parliamentarians as was done in the revision of the HIV laws in the Philippines and bills in Malawi.
In a number of countries too, courts have the power to strike down laws that are discriminatory, UNAIDS has underscored even as it pointed out that “This can be done if an individual or organization affected by the law takes legal action and wins the case for change.” The case of India’s Supreme Court which removed Section 377 in 2018, was a striking example, according to UNAIDS.
“In some countries, people or politicians can propose law reform through a petition and request a national vote or referendum. This is a standard method of legislating in Switzerland,” said UNAIDS, which has identified a range of laws that are discriminatory, impede access to health and social services, restrict freedom of movement and violate human rights.
In 2018, UNAIDS said, at least 20 countries imposed travel restrictions of some form against people living with HIV.
Added to this around 29 countries reported that they require the consent of a woman’s husband or partner to access sexual and reproductive health services and 59 countries reported mandatory HIV testing for marriage, work or residence permits or for certain groups of people in the law, regulations or policies.
Further, UNAIDS revealed, 17 countries have criminalized transgender people and 41 countries had laws that impose the need for parental consent for adolescents and young people below 18 years to access HIV testing services.
Of note too, is that 33 countries imposed the death penalty for drug offences in law and same-sex sexual relations were criminalized in at least 67 countries and territories worldwide.
UNAIDS therefore is actively working with United Nations partners, governments and civil society organizations to change those laws as part of the Global Partnership for Action to Eliminate all Forms of HIV-Related Stigma and Discrimination.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News