Geneva, 10 December 2009 – On Human Rights Day UNAIDS is calling on all countries to
uphold the human rights of people most affected by the AIDS epidemic.
Criminalization of consensual adult sexual behaviour and violation of human rights of people
living with HIV are hampering HIV responses across the world. UNAIDS urges all countries
to remove laws and policies that make it difficult for people to access HIV services. UNAIDS also calls upon countries to enforce laws that protect people living with and affected by HIV from discrimination.
Although important progress has been made in creating legal environments conducive for
HIV prevention in many countries, UNAIDS is concerned about an apparent trend towards
criminalizing consensual adult sexual behaviour.
In Uganda, for example an ‘anti-homosexuality’ bill has been proposed which if passed into
law, would represent a serious setback to achieving universal access to HIV prevention,
treatment, care and support in Uganda by driving men who have sex with men underground
and away from HIV services. If passed, the bill would greatly increase stigma and
discrimination against people living with and affected by HIV, as well as putting lives at risk.
from UNAIDS website
