Special Considerations for Advising Sexual Assault Complainants Living with HIV

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

Rights Within Reach: Strategic Plan 2022-2027

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

Rights Within Reach: Strategic Plan 2022-2027, Executive Summary

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

Submission to the Special Rapporteur on Health: Questionnaire on Racism and the Right to Health (HIV Crim)

The HIV Legal Network is grateful for the opportunity to complete this questionnaire and inform the Special Rapporteur on the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health’s forthcoming report to the General Assembly on the theme of racism and the right to health. This questionnaire focuses on the issue of HIV criminalization in these … Read more

Submission to the Special Rapporteur on Health: Questionnaire on Racism and Right to Health (Drug Policy)

The HIV Legal Network and the Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation (CDPE) are grateful for the opportunity to complete this questionnaire and inform the Special Rapporteur on the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health’s forthcoming report to the General Assembly on the theme of racism and the right to health. This questionnaire focuses … Read more

Submission to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights: Promotion and protection of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Africans and of people of African descent

In April 2022, the HIV Legal Network and the Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation made this submission to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, focusing on systemic racism and human rights violations by law enforcement officers against Africans and people of African descent, in the context of Canada’s drug laws and policies. … Read more

Submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights: Review of Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

In April 2022, Sandra Ka Hon Chu, on behalf of the HIV Legal Network and the Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation, deputed at the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights about Bill C-5, An Act to Amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. The remarks focused on the section … Read more

Positive Women: The Films

In 2012, the Legal Network was fortunate to team up with filmmaker Alison Duke and four amazing women living with HIV in Canada on a project exploring the profound effects of criminalization on their lives. The result of this collaboration was Positive Women: Exposing Injustice (2012), a documentary film shown in Canada — and around the … Read more

Failure of drug prohibition and criminalization to protect children

The HIV Legal Network, in collaboration with the Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy and the Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation, made a submission on drugs and drug policy to the Committee on the Rights of the Child, as it reviewed Canada’s compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. In the … Read more