Publications

Thirty years ago this December, a group of activists came together to create what we now call the HIV Legal Network. Their mission was to support and protect the human rights of people living with and affected by HIV. Thanks to the support of thousands of people over the past three decades, we have been … Read more

Since the Legal Network was founded in 1992, we have steadfastly promoted the human rights of people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS, and other populations disproportionately affected by HIV, punitive laws and policies, and criminalization, in Canada and around the world. The scope of our work has grown over the past 30 years, … Read more

Butterfly (Asian and Migrant Sex Workers Support Network) and the HIV Legal Network recognize sex work is work and respect the agency of sex workers and migrants. We also recognize the harms caused by criminalization, policing, and laws and policies that discriminate against migrant sex workers. We fight for the dignity, rights, and justice of … 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

Supervised consumption services (SCS) are an effective intervention to reduce the harms associated with drug prohibition and a toxic drug supply. SCS increase access to health care, promote safer consumption, and prevent overdoses and other health complications. An SCS may support multiple forms of drug consumption, including consumption by injection, inhalation (smoking), oral, and intranasal … Read more

The HIV Legal Network has submitted this brief to the federal government in advance of the new budget. It highlights the need to increase HIV-specific funding, even as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

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

In October 2022, the Russian Federation is required to present its seventh periodic report to the International Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, including information on the implementation of earlier recommendations issued by the Committee concerning the prevention, treatment, and care of tuberculosis in individuals with comorbid HIV infection and drug dependency. In the … Read more

This report was submitted by the HIV Legal Network to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) on the right to health of people living with HIV in Tajikistan, where the Criminal Code criminalizes both the exposure of another person to HIV transmission and actual transmission..