More feature stories on punitive laws

Women everywhere have the right to informed consent
08 August 2012|
Since 2008, cases of forced sterilisation have been reported, among others, in Chile, the Dominican Republic, Kenya, Mexico, South Africa, Venezuela and Zambia.
Jamaica’s new HIV strategy: “Making Human Rights Real”
06 August 2012|
Jamaica’s new National HIV Strategic Plan 2012-2017 focuses on an enabling environment and human rights. The plan was developed in 2011 through a highly consultative process involving the government, private sector, faith-based organizations, youth, people living with HIV and international development partners.
Sex workers demand respect for their fundamental rights in a parallel summit to the AIDS 2012
25 July 2012|
As thousands of delegates gather for the XIX International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2012) in Washington, D.C. this week, a parallel satellite hub, the Sex Worker Freedom Festival, is taking place in Kolkata, India, from 22-26 July.
SEROvie’s evolving MSM strategy
25 July 2012|
After 22 years of absence, the International AIDS Conference is again taking place in the United States of America. This is a direct consequence of the government’s decision in 2009 to lift restrictions of entry into the country for people living with HIV. And precisely, the public health and human rights impacts of HIV travel restrictions were discussed at a satellite session on the first day of the conference.
HIV Travel Restrictions: Latest Developments
22 July 2012|
Co-hosted by UNAIDS and the Government of the Republic of Korea, the satellite session on HIV Travel Restrictions: Latest Developments aimed to hear new developments in Korea about their own restrictions as well as to take stock of where the global situation of travel restrictions stands some 30 years into the epidemic.
Global Commission on Law urges countries to make the law work for HIV, not against it
11 July 2012|
The Global Commission on HIV and the Law launched its landmark report on 9 July 2012 at UN Headquarters in New York. The new report denounces the detrimental impact that punitive laws have on human rights and the HIV response and makes bold recommendations for addressing them.
UNAIDS Executive Director meets with the new leadership of Tunisia
04 July 2012|
Meeting on 2-3 July with top officials of Tunisia’s new tripartite coalition government, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé praised the country’s leadership for its strong commitment to reducing stigma and discrimination—a key barrier to progress in HIV responses across the region.
UNAIDS saddened by the death of Abel Shinana
23 May 2012|
Abel Shinana, the late Coordinator of African Sex Workers Alliance in Namibia, was a courageous and vocal advocate for the rights of sex workers, people living with HIV and the LGBTI population. He was also a critical partner for both UNFPA and UNAIDS on efforts to address HIV among sex workers at both country and global levels.
“See to understand”: Human rights, zero discrimination and improved AIDS response
03 May 2012|
In Guatemala, wearing a pair of red glasses has transcended from being a fashion statement to a symbol against stigma and discrimination faced by people living with HIV. UNAIDS, in partnership with the National Red Cross, launched “See to understand”, a campaign that challenges people to look at the world through red glasses for a new perspective on what it can mean to live with HIV.
UNAIDS Executive Director praises Algeria as a regional leader and pioneer in the HIV response
03 April 2012|
In a meeting on 2 April with the President of the Algerian Senate, Abdelkader Bensalah, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé commended Algeria as a champion in the AIDS response—both at home and across the region.
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights creates a specialized unit to address human rights of lesbians, gays, bisexual, trans and intersex people
14 March 2012|
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has created a specialized technical unit to strengthen its capacity to protect the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and intersex (LGBTI) people in the Americas.
UNAIDS and UNDP commend New Zealand’s leadership in the HIV response
13 March 2012|
UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé and UNDP Administrator Helen Clark praised New Zealand as a model for the AIDS response in a joint meeting on 6 March with the country’s Prime Minister, John Key.
Sex workers advocate for access to health care and legal services
Sex workers advocate for access to health care and legal services
12 March 2012|
More than 150 male and female sex workers marched through the Central Business District (CBD) of Nairobi, Kenya on 3 March claiming respect for their rights. Participants wearing masks signifying the hidden nature of their work walked from Koinange Street—Nairobi’s leading venue for sex work—to the Mayor’s office at City Hall.
President of Fiji commits to easing HIV burden for women in the Pacific region
08 March 2012|
Speaking at a meeting on International Women’s Day in Suva, capital city of Fiji, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé praised President Ratu Epeli Nailitikau for his “remarkable leadership” and personal engagement in the AIDS response at country, regional and global levels.
Joint UN Statement calls for the closure of compulsory drug detention and rehabilitation centers
08 March 2012|
Twelve United Nations entities have issued a joined statement calling for the closure of compulsory drug detention and rehabilitation centers. The existence of such centers—which have been operating in many countries for the last 20 years—raises human rights issues and threatens the health of detainees, including through increased vulnerability to HIV and tuberculosis (TB) infection.
UNDP and UNAIDS Leaders Begin High Level Joint Mission in New Zealand
05 March 2012|
The Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Helen Clark, and the Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Michel Sidibé, began a three day mission in New Zealand—the first joint mission by the two UN leaders in this Pacific country.
Q&A with Ambrose Rachier, Chair of the HIV Equity Tribunal in Kenya
23 February 2012|
At the June 2011 High Level Meeting on AIDS, world leaders pledged to eliminate stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV by promoting laws and policies that advance human rights and fundamental freedoms. The recent creation of an HIV Equity Tribunal in Kenya—the first of its kind globally—represents a bold step towards achieving this goal.
Nordic countries continue to back the AIDS
Nordic countries continue to back the AIDS response
15 February 2012|
The Nordic countries have reiterated their commitment to HIV and to doing their part to help countries reach the ambitious targets set out by United Nations Member States in the 2011 Political Declaration on AIDS.
UN Secretary-General speaks against discrimination based on sexual orientation
30 January 2012|
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed the need to anchor Africa’s development to the respect for human rights. “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a promise to all people in all places at all times,” said Mr Ban at the 18th annual meeting of the African Union.
Integrating human rights, gender equality and HIV prevention in national HIV responses
27 September 2011|
UNAIDS brought together nearly 60 participants from 12 countries across Eastern and Southern Africa to a 3-day training workshop on expanding human rights, gender and HIV prevention programmes in national responses to HIV.

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21 March 2013

UNAIDS welcomes UK’s strong commitment to development aid . More

20 March 2013

UNAIDS calls for Zero parallel systems for HIV and TB. More

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