Uganda Passes Another Repressive Law — This Time Criminalising HIV Transmission

Uganda’s parliament has passed controversial legislation that criminalises the “wilful and intentional” transmission of HIV. Activists have called the HIV Prevention and Management Bill “giant leap backwards in the global struggle against HIV/AIDS.” Credit: Amy Fallon/IPSBy Amy FallonKAMPALA, May 15 2014 (IPS) Ugandan AIDS bodies and campaigners have warned that the “ugly clauses” of an HIV bill passed by Parliament late Tuesday, which includes the criminalisation of the “wilful and intentional” transmission of the disease, will see many in this East African country “shun the healthcare system”. Activists are urging President Yoweri Museveni not to sign the 25-page HIV Prevention and Management Bill into law, describing certain parts as “poison” and a “giant leap backwards in the global struggle against HIV/AIDS.” Uganda has been described as a model when it comes to public policy responses to challenges posed by the HIV epidemic in the 1990s.“We will have someone who is HIV positive in the docks but without any justice system to fend for them.” -- Dianah Nanjeho, a communications consultant at Uganda Network on Law, Ethics and HIV/AIDS But clause 41 of the legislation, which was drafted in 2008, prescribes a maximum 10 years in jail, a fine of about five million Ugandan shillings (1,980 dollars) or both for anyone who “wilfully and intentionally transmitting HIV/AIDS to another person”. It’s the most controversial part of the ...
Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - Category: Global & Universal Authors: Tags: Active Citizens Africa Civil Society Development & Aid Editors' Choice Featured Headlines Health Human Rights Population Regional Categories TerraViva Europe TerraViva United Nations HIV Prevention and Management Bill HIV/AIDS Source Type: news