More feature stories on punitive laws

Women out loud: How women living with HIV will help the world end AIDS
11 December 2012|
In a new report, entitled Women out loud, UNAIDS explores the impact of HIV on women and the instrumental role women living with the virus are playing to end AIDS. It includes the latest data and commentary from some of the leading advocates on women and HIV.
Ahead of World AIDS Day CEOs call to end HIV travel restrictions
28 November 2012|
This World AIDS Day, Chief Executives (CEO’s) from some of the world’s largest companies are calling for an end to travel restrictions for people living with HIV. More than 40 CEOs have signed an unprecedented pledge urging the repeal of laws and policies in 45 countries that still deport, detain or deny entry to people solely because they are living with HIV.
Nobel Peace Prize winner Daw Aung San Suu Kyi accepts role as UNAIDS Global Advocate for Zero Discrimination
20 November 2012|
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has appointed Nobel peace prize winner and Member of Parliament Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as a Global Advocate for Zero Discrimination. In this new role, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will call on her fellow citizens and people around the world to eliminate stigma and discrimination.
UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador Toumani Diabaté continues to play against stigma and discrimination
16 November 2012|
UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador Toumani Diabaté visited the UNAIDS headquarters in Geneva on 16 November where he met with UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé to take stock on the current state of the AIDS epidemic.
Myanmar overcomes major challenges to push forward its response to HIV
26 October 2012|
The Vice-President of Myanmar, Dr Sai Mauk Kham, reconfirmed his government’s commitment to carrying out effective HIV programmes during a meeting with UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé. The two leaders met in Nay Pyi Taw, the country’s capital, where they discussed the progress made by Myanmar in responding to HIV despite the enormous challenges faced by the country.
FIGO 2012 discusses role of professional organisations in upholding patients’ rights
09 October 2012|
The 2012 World Congress of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) brought to Rome, Italy, thousands of participants to discuss ways to improve women's health, reduce infant and maternal mortality and promote the right to sexual health.
Alternative action on compulsory detention: Innovative responses in Asia
05 October 2012|
The National Assembly of Viet Nam passed a new Law on the Handling of Administrative Sanctions which effectively ends the practice of detaining sex workers in ‘05’ centres. The Law also allows drug users who are subject to compulsory treatment in drug detoxification centres to have court hearings on their cases and legal representation at the court.
Cricket players go out to bat for HIV awareness at ICC WT20
28 September 2012|
World cricket players have united in a call to young fans to ‘get the facts’ about HIV prevention and to help eliminate AIDS-related stigma and discrimination. The call is part of a United Nations and International Cricket Council (ICC) HIV awareness-raising campaign taking place alongside the ICC World Twenty20 (WT20) tournament in Sri Lanka, which runs until 7 October.
Cricket and HIV campaign hits the road aboard the “Let’s talk” bus in Sri Lanka
21 September 2012|
A bus embossed with HIV messages, red ribbons and the faces of world cricketing stars is making a whistle stop tour through more than a hundred sites in Sri Lanka. Carrying young volunteers, the bus is part of the HIV awareness-raising campaign “Let’s talk” taking place around the world Twenty20 cricket tournament that runs from 18 September to 7 October in Sri Lanka.
Breaking the cycle of stigma and discrimination in rural Uganda
10 September 2012|
Justine, a 38-year-old Ugandan woman, tested positive for HIV during an antenatal visit at the local health centre when she was pregnant with her fourth child. After disclosing her HIV status to her husband, he left home and never came back.
Homophobia and punitive laws continue to threaten HIV responses and human rights
28 August 2012|
In many regions of the world, punitive laws and practices against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender and intersex (LGBTI) individuals continue to block effective responses to HIV. A range of human rights violations have been documented, from denial of health services and freedom of association to harassment, violence and murder.
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.

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