On October 20, 2022, 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. The Canadian Coalition to Reform HIV Criminalization (CCRHC), welcomes this consultation – a first step, we hope, to concrete action on law reform. … Read more
While the HIV Legal Network is based in Canada, our work extends all over the world. From advocacy to defend the human rights of people who use drugs in Russia and the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region, to collaborating with local partners to challenge HIV criminalization in Africa, to supporting litigation against homophobic laws … Read more
For immediate release – Aussi disponible en français THE HIV LEGAL NETWORK AND HALCO DISAPPOINTED BY R. v. SHARMA SUPREME COURT DECISION The following can be attributed to the HIV Legal Network and the HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario (HALCO). November 4, 2022 — Toronto, ON —The Supreme Court of Canada today released a … Read more
Last month, the Government of Canada announced the start of a public consultation on HIV criminalization. From now until January, you can have your say and tell the government that it’s past time to change the misguided and harmful law on HIV non-disclosure. Your participation is crucial The federal government needs to hear from you … Read more
Introducing Our New Podcast: Not a Crime Today, on International Drug Users Day, we will begin sharing stories of criminalization from around the world through our new podcast, Not a Crime. Featuring interviews with our policy analysts along with people working farther afield, Not a Crime will highlight the impact of criminalization on people living … Read more
Featuring interviews with our policy analysts along with people working farther afield, Not a Crime will highlight the impact of criminalization on people living with HIV and people who use drugs over the coming months. June 16 , 2025 – How Media Narratives Further the Harms of HIV Criminalization March 25, 2025 – Talking to … Read more
THE HIV LEGAL NETWORK APPLAUDS R. v. NDHLOVU SUPREME COURT DECISION For immediate release – The following can be attributed to the HIV Legal Network. October 28, 2022 – Today the Supreme Court of Canada struck down legislation that has, since 2011, required that people convicted of aggravated sexual assault, the offence under which HIV … Read more
The HIV Legal Network promotes the human rights of people living with HIV or AIDS and other populations disproportionately affected by HIV and criminalization, in Canada and internationally. In 2021, we undertook a planning process that would shape the strategic goals and priorities for the organization’s next five years (2022-2027). To do this, we sought … Read more
In 2021, the HIV Legal Network undertook a planning process that would shape the strategic goals and priorities for the organization’s next five years (2022-2027). To do this, we sought the input of a broad range of stakeholders, from partner organizations to people living with and affected by HIV and criminalization, to staff. All identified … Read more
Canada has long been among the global “hotspots” for prosecuting people accused of HIV non-disclosure, exposure, or transmission of HIV. As of the end of 2020, there have been at least 224 confirmed prosecutions. Most cases have not involved any allegation that HIV was transmitted or that the accused person had any intent to transmit … Read more