Langage stigmatisant et discriminatoire dans la loi n° 08/011 du 14 juillet 2008, telle que modifiée et complétée, portant protection des droits des personnes vivant avec le VIH et des personnes affectées en République démocratique du Congo: nécessité d’une reformulation inclusive à la lumière des guides internationaux
La loi n° 08/011 du 14 juillet 2008, telle que modifiée et complétée, marque une avancée importante dans la reconnaissance et la protection des droits des personnes vivant avec le VIH et des personnes affectées en République démocratique du Congo. Cependant, une analyse approfondie de ses dispositions met en évidence le recours à un vocabulaire juridique imprécis, scientifiquement erroné et empreint de stigmatisation. L’emploi de formules telles que «VIH/SIDA », « virus du sida », « lutte contre le VIH/SIDA », « groupes vulnérables », « individu infecté » ou encore « toxicomanes » tend à essentialiser les personnes concernées, à associer implicitement la séropositivité à une forme de danger social ou pénal, et à institutionnaliser des représentations fondées sur la peur, la moralisation et la suspicion. Ces expressions, loin d’être anodines, engendrent des effets juridiques et sociaux concrets, en favorisant la stigmatisation, la discrimination et, dans certains cas, une pénalisation excessive ou abusive du VIH. Elles constituent également un obstacle à l’accès effectif aux services de prévention, de dépistage et de soins pour les personnes vivant avec le VIH et les populations clés. À la lumière des recommandations du Guide de terminologie de l’ONUSIDA, le présent article plaide pour l’adoption immédiate d’un langage juridique inclusif, précis et non stigmatisant. Il propose, en outre, des pistes de reformulation visant à promouvoir un langage inclusif, conforme aux acquis scientifiques actuels, juridiquement précis et respectueux des principes d’égalité et de non- discrimination, conçu comme un levier pragmatique de protection des droits fondamentaux, d’amélioration de l’accès aux soins et de renforcement de l’efficacité de la riposte nationale au VIH.
Criminalisation of HIV transmission in the Democratic Republic of Congo: lack of evidence, repressive abuses and human rights issues – Critical analysis and prospects for reform in light of the S.M. case
This article offers a critical and in-depth analysis of the legal framework governing the criminalisation of HIV transmission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, using the S. M. case as a starting point for broader reflection. This emblematic case highlights the excesses of a justice system that is still too often influenced by fear, prejudice and stigmatisation of people living with HIV, to the detriment of the required standards of scientific evidence. Through a rigorous examination of this decision, the article reveals the systemic flaws and repressive excesses that still characterise the Congolese justice system, where HIV-positive status is often wrongly equated with automatic proof of guilt, particularly when it is invoked in proceedings related to sexual violence. Far from limiting itself to denunciation, this study takes a resolutely constructive perspective by calling for a thorough reform of the legal treatment of cases of alleged HIV transmission. It highlights the urgent need to develop clear guidelines for magistrates, to strengthen the training of justice professionals on the biomedical realities of HIV, and to promote a coherent approach that reconciles the fight against sexual violence, respect for human rights and public health requirements.
Finding Equality: A creative take on feminist judgment projects and the criminalization of HIV non-disclosure
This article reflects on the politics of feminist judgments, challenging the premises of the conventional methodology in contexts where the law cannot be redeemed through liberal legal methods. One such area is HIV non-disclosure. Canadian courts have repeatedly found that the criminal law has jurisdiction over a person’s failure to disclose their HIV-positive status in sexual relations. The article argues that the law in this area should not be rewritten using the conventional methodology because the law should be abolished. In contexts like this, feminists should have recourse to an expanded referential universe, including creative tools, strategies, and forms of literary and artistic expression to represent gender and sexuality differently.
HIV Criminalization in Indiana: Evaluation of Transmission Risk
Indiana has six laws that criminalize people living with HIV, spanning both the public health and criminal codes. This study evaluates whether these laws reflect current understandings of HIV science and criminalize conduct that poses negligible or no risk of transmitting HIV.
HIV and the LAW in Australia: National Audit
This is an audit of Australian laws and policies undermining the goals and key areas of action of the National HIV Strategy. This audit deals mainly with three topics, which have a substantial and adverse impact on persons with HIV as well as other marginalised communities and the broader Australian population. These laws: criminalise HIV transmission, exposure and the failure to disclose HIV status to a sexual partner; define consent in a way that exposes people with HIV to criminalisation; and enable Mandatory Disease Testing (MDT) that adversely impacts people with HIV. For each of these topics, this audit: sets out the relevant laws of each state and territory in Australia; notes the key issues in the area; and outlines suggestions on law reform options.
Zimbabwe Marriages Bill – repeal section 79
In this brochure, CSOs in support of the Marriages Bill explain what the Section 79 of the Criminal Law currently say and why it is over broad and open to unjust application.
The gender of lying: Feminist perspectives on the non-disclosure of HIV status
Arguing from a feminist perspective, this article contends that non-disclosure of HIV status to one’s sexual partner should not vitiate consent to sexual activity. Considers the gendered effect of lying, and how HIV status intersects with the power imbalance at the root of sexual assault. Discusses the tension between the need for women to protect both their medical information and their sexual integrity. Also considers the role of stigma in preventing disclosure.