Publications

Non-binding agreements, or “soft law,” have played a role in influencing government policy and reducing HIV vulnerability among construction workers in the Greater Mekong Subregion of Southeast Asia. In this article, David Patterson et al. state that soft law sometimes offers advantages over treaty law, but that challenges remain in the implementation of soft law. … Read more

Model legislation can be a useful tool for fighting HIV/AIDS, but only if it is based on sound human rights principles. In 2004, AWARE–HIV/AIDS prepared a model law on HIV for use in Western Africa. Several countries in the region have already drafted national laws based on the model law. In this article, Director of … Read more

FEATURES Legislation contagion: the spread of problematic new HIV laws in Western Africa Drug treatment courts in Canada: an evidence-based review Use of soft law to address HIV/AIDS in Southeast Asia CANADIAN DEVELOPMENTS Supervised injection facility granted another temporary extension; legal action launched First test of WTO mechanism for procuring generic medicines under compulsory licence, … Read more

FEATURES Women’s rights consultation in Johannesburg Going global: AIDS law portal project lifts off MOVING ON Leon Mar KUDOS Thomas Kerr MEDIA SCAN IN BRIEF Human rights guidelines for pharmaceutical companies Legal Network supports Caribbean activist coalition World Bank conference in Uzbekistan Communicating harm reduction Counterfeit drug strategy? NEW THIS QUARTER

A substantial amount of scientific evidence has shown that needle and syringe programs (NSPs) in the community are the most effective intervention available to prevent HIV transmission associated with injecting drug use. As well, NSPs have been associated with increases in access to care and treatment among people who use such programs, and with substantial … Read more

A wealth of scientific evidence has shown that methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) is the most effective intervention available for the treatment of opiate dependence. MMT has been associated with reductions in risk behaviour, illicit drug use, criminal behaviour, participation in sex work, unemployment, mortality, and HIV transmission. Many of the concerns raised about MMT have … Read more

“We write to you to lodge formally a complaint regarding the conduct of Mr. Justice Jon-Jo Douglas, of the Ontario Court of Justice (Central East Region), in the recent proceeding of R. v. Wilde (accused charged with sexual assault allegedly committed upon the complainant during incarceration at the Central North Correctional Centre). . . “We … Read more

Many Canadian provinces have passed legislation that authorizes testing someone for HIV without his or her consent. This document provides information about occupational exposure to HIV, and the legal and human rights concerns raised by forced HIV testing.

“We write to express our concern about certain recommendations made by the Correctional Services Canada (CSC) Review Panel in its recently released final report, A Roadmap to Strengthening Public Safety — recommendations which, in our view, are not guided by the best available evidence and by human rights principles. . . .”

This summary of strategic directions is based on the report Hard Time: Promoting HIV and Hepatitis C Prevention Programming for Prisoners in Canada by the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network and Prisoners’ HIV/AIDS Support Action Network (PASAN).