On Friday, March 31st, 2023, the Jamaican Court of Appeal rendered a decision in the constitutional challenge brought by Maurice Tomlinson against sections 76, 77 and 79 of Jamaica’s Offences Against the Person Act (“OAPA”), which criminalize same sex intimacy. The Court unanimously granted the appeal sought by the Attorney General of Jamaica, thereby … Read more
Effectively addressing HIV, HCV, and STBBIs among Indigenous people requires the adoption of a human rights approach, focusing on evidence-based and culturally sensitive interventions that embrace Indigenous ways of knowing and doing. In addition to the legal and policy recommendations described below, it is imperative moving forward that access to emerging health care technologies and … Read more
Article 157 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus criminalizes HIV exposure and transmission. Despite a reduction in the number of criminal cases brought under this article, Belarus remains among the world’s leading countries in prosecutions of people living with HIV. Russian Version
The Access to social and medical services for persons with disabilities living with HIV study was carried out in May and June 2022 with the objective of identifying barriers and complexities for people living with HIV and disabilities in Russia during the coronavirus pandemic and at the outset of the war in Ukraine. Russian version:
With no time for half-measures, Canada needs full decriminalization nation-wide, led by lived experience and evidence Monday, January 30, 2023 — This week, we are watching with great interest as the possession of some drugs in small amounts will finally be decriminalized in the Province of British Columbia. While in theory a positive step forward … Read more
On June 20th, 2022, the HIV Legal Network, in collaboration with Communities, Alliances & Networks and the Women & HIV/AIDS Initiative, hosted a roundtable about alternative justice responses to the criminalization of HIV non-disclosure in Canada.
The HIV Legal Network and the HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario submitted a response to the Government of Canada’s consultation on reforming the criminal law regarding HIV non-disclosure on January 10th, 2023.
This paper is devoted to issues faced by a group of individuals with a unique experience: sexual assault complainants living with HIV who could potentially be transformed from complainants to accused persons. In particular, this paper discusses some of the factors that arise in these situations and aims to provide some guidance on the advice … Read more
Advocacy Alert In October, the Government of Canada announced the start of their consultation on HIV criminalization, as Canada finally looks to reform the misguided and harmful law on HIV non-disclosure in this country. This is, we hope, a first step toward concrete action on law reform. Your participation in the government consultation is crucial. … Read more
Today, the HIV Legal Network marks World AIDS Day by joining with the United Nations in a call to governments around the world to reform laws, policies, and practices that create and exacerbate the stigma faced by people living with HIV. This year’s theme is “Equalize” and we are recommitting ourselves to working to challenge laws that oppress … Read more