HIV treatment

HIV, sexual health and the law

In the HIV Weekly of 26 November, we reported on two cases of people being sent to prison for reckless transmission. One was for the transmission of HIV and the other for passing on the hepatitis B virus. In both cases, concerns were raised by campaigners about the handling of the defence.

The Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+) has collected information showing that prosecutions for HIV exposure or transmission are increasing across Europe and in other parts of the world. The organisation has launched a new website that gives up-to-date information about legal practice in these cases and laws relating to HIV exposure and transmission.

The website aims to provide information on resources and help available for people involved in cases either personally or professionally.

The site can be found at www.gnpplus.net/criminalisation.

There have been three important new documents released in the last few weeks relating to this topic:

• UNAIDS and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have released a detailed report on their international consultation on the criminalisation of HIV transmission, following up their policy document on this subject.
• The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), GNP+ and the International Community of Positive Women (ICW) have produced a booklet covering ten key questions about criminalisation, called Verdict on a Virus.
• The Open Society Institute has worked with experts and advocates internationally to produce 10 Reasons to Oppose Criminalization of HIV Exposure or Transmission .

General health