La Criminalización del VIH en América Latina y el Caribe: Avances y Desafíos
El informe 2024 de la Red de Acción por Justicia para Personas Afectadas por el VIH/SIDA (Red de Acción) contiene procesos legales en la región que castigan a las personas por conductas relacionadas con su estado serológico respecto al VIH, incluso sin pruebas de transmisión o intención de causar daño. En algunas situaciones, el informe aborda delitos inaceptables como la violencia sexual o la pedofilia, que la Red de Acción rechaza firmemente.
HIV Criminalization in Latin America and the Caribbean: Advances and Challenges
The 2024 report by the Action Network for Justice for People Affected by HIV/AIDS (Action Network) documents legal cases in the region where individuals are penalized for conduct linked to their HIV status, even in the absence of evidence of transmission or intent to cause harm. The report also notes instances involving serious offenses such as sexual violence or pedophilia, which the Action Network unequivocally condemns.
Enforcement of HIV Criminalization in Mississippi
The Williams Institute analyzed data from the state of Mississippi about individuals arrested for an allegation of an HIV-related offense under Section 92-27-14 of the Mississippi Criminal Code. The study revealed at least 43 people arrested between 2004 and 2021.
It’s time to end HIV criminalization
While some individual public health officials have sup- ported efforts to reform HIV criminalization, the contribution of the organized public health profession, as a whole, has been marginal. Public health authorities have been indifferent to such efforts, have been afraid to voice their support, or have actively stood in the way of needed changes.This editorial argues that it is not too late for the public health community to make a difference. There is much work and ongoing advocacy needed for the tide to fully turn on HIV criminalization in this country. A strong public health voice urging the federal government to deliver on its promise to enact principled, evidence-based Criminal Code reforms that end unjust HIV criminalization would make an important contribution.
Il est temps de mettre fin à la criminalisation du VIH
Quelques fonctionnaires de la santé publique ont appuyé les efforts pour réformer la criminalisation du VIH, mais la contribution de la profession de la santé publique organisée a été marginale dans l’ensemble. Les autorités de santé publique ont été indifférentes à ces efforts, ont eu peur d’exprimer leur appui ou se sont activement opposées aux changements nécessaires. Cet article affirme qu'il n’est pas trop tard pour la communauté de la santé publique de changer les choses. Il faudra beaucoup de travail et de plaidoyers soutenus pour inverser complètement le courant en matière de criminalisation du VIH au pays. Si la santé publique exhortait fermement le gouvernement fédéral à respecter sa promesse d’instaurer des réformes raisonnées et factuelles du Code criminel pour mettre fin à la criminalisation injuste du VIH, elle apporterait une contribution majeure.
La criminalisation de la non-divulgation de la séropositivité au Canada – Rapport du Comité permanent de la justice et des droits de la personne
Rapport révolutionnaire recommandant que le gouvernement du Canada collabore avec chacune des provinces et chacun des territoires canadiens pour mettre fin à l'utilisation de la loi sur les agressions sexuelles pour poursuivre les allégations de non-divulgation de l'infection par le VIH.
The Expert Consensus Statement on the Science of HIV in the Context of Criminal Law – Five-year Impact Report: Bringing Science to Justice
In 2018, twenty leading HIV scientists published the ‘Expert Consensus Statement on the Science of HIV in the Context of Criminal Law’ (Expert Consensus Statement) to address the misuse of HIV science in punitive laws and prosecutions against people living with HIV for acts related to sexual activity, biting or spitting. The process involved undertaking detailed analysis of the best available scientific and medical research data on HIV transmission, treatment effectiveness and forensics. Building on an initial scoping report published in 2020, the HIV Justice Network (HJN) undertook further research between April and July 2023 examining the impact of the Expert Consensus Statement in cases and advocacy in the five years since its publication.
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.
HIV Criminalisation in the EU – A comparative 20 country report
In 2020, AAE published a comparative 10-country report on HIV criminalisation, which provided a basis for future advocacy activities on the issue. The current report builds upon the 2020 report, while adding the data from new 10 EU Member states. The report includes information on the impact of legislation introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as trends, developments, and expected changes regarding the criminalisation of HIV.
Santé positive, Dignité et Prévention : Un cadre d’action
La Santé positive, Dignité et Prévention met en lumière l'importance du positionnement de la personne vivant avec le VIH au centre de la prise en charge de sa santé et de son bien-être. Le Cadre de Santé positive, Dignité et Prévention nécessite des efforts multisectoriels conjugués pour la suppression des lois punitives et l’adoption de lois plus nombreuses qui appuient et permettent des politiques en faveur de l’extension de programmes avérés réduire les nouvelles infections à VIH tout en protégeant les droits humains des personnes vivant avec le VIH et de celles qui présentent un risque élevé d’exposition au virus.
Impact of Canadian human immunodeficiency virus non-disclosure case law on experiences of violence from sexual partners among women living with human immunodeficiency virus in Canada: Implications for sexual rights
Study measured the reported impact of HIV non-disclosure case law on violence from sexual partners among women living with human immunodeficiency virus in Canada. Findings bolster concerns that human immunodeficiency virus criminalisation is a structural driver of intimate partner violence, compromising sexual rights of women living with HIV. HIV non-disclosure case law intersects with other oppressions to regulate women’s sexual lives.
Using Science for Justice: The Implications of the Expert Consensus Statement on Zimbabwe’s HIV Criminalisation Law
The article finds that, if applied by lawyers, prosecutors and courts, the Expert Consensus Statement may alleviate some unjust prosecutions and convictions in guiding courts to assess evidence on HIV transmission, to draw appropriate inferences on mental elements of the offence, to recognise defences on the basis of transmission risk-reducing conduct, and to more appropriately inform the courts’ assessment of the harm of HIV infection in sentencing. The implications of the science reflected in the Expert Consensus Statement may also weigh in favour of a finding by the courts that the offence is unconstitutional if a new constitutional case is made against the offence.
Projected life expectancy of people with HIV according to timing of diagnosis
Estimates the life expectancy of an HIV-infected MSM living in a developed country with extensive access to ART and healthcare. Finds that predicted life expectancy is relatively high in people with HIV who can access a wide range of antiretrovirals. Finds the greatest risk of excess mortality is due to delays in HIV diagnosis.
Mortality in well controlled HIV in the continuous antiretroviral therapy arms of the SMART and ESPRIT trials compared with the general population
Compares mortality rates in well controlled HIV-infected adults in two clinical trials with the general population. Found that HIV-infected individuals on ART with a recent undetectable viral load, who maintained or had recovery of CD4(+) cell counts to at least 500 cells/μl, had no increased risk of death compared with the general population.
Life expectancy living with HIV: recent estimates and future implications
Review of the latest literature shows life expectancy of people with HIV has dramatically increased since effective antiretroviral therapy has been available, and it continues to improve. Modelling studies suggest life expectancy could improve further with increased uptake of HIV testing, better antiretroviral regimens and treatment strategies, and the adoption of healthier lifestyles by those living with HIV. Early diagnosis is particularly important.
Treating HIV-infected people with antiretrovirals significantly reduces transmission to partners: Findings result from NIH-funded international study
Describes findings of the HPTN 052 study: that early initiation of antiretroviral therapy reduced rates of sexual transmission of HIV-1 and clinical events, indicating both personal and public health benefits from such therapy.
Systematic Review of HIV Transmission between Heterosexual Serodiscordant Couples where the HIV-Positive Partner Is Fully Suppressed on Antiretroviral Therapy
Meta-analysis suggests minimal risk of sexual HIV transmission for heterosexual serodiscordant couples when the HIV-positive partner has full viral suppression on cART with caveats regarding information on sexual intercourse type, STIs, and condom use.
Brief Amicus Curiae of American Academy of HIV Medicine, Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, Center for HIV Law and Policy, HIV Medicine Association, and Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund Inc., in Support of Defendant-Appellant David Plunkett
Principle witness requests that testimony be withdrawn and that the case be reviewed.
Grievious harm: Use of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 for sexual transmission of HIV
Explores use of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 to prosecute people who have transmitted HIV infection to sexual partners in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Examines evidence in cases of sexual HIV transmission and considers the likely impact that criminalising HIV transmission has on public health, especially HIV prevention. Includes recommendations.
Statement of Policy: Opposing Stigma and Discrimination Against Persons with Communicable Diseases
Notes disease-specific laws and policies resulting in prosecutions fuel stigma and discrimination. Encourages local health departments to assist state governments to review HIV-specific criminal statutes to ensure that they are consistent with current knowledge of HIV transmission and support public health approaches to prevention and treatment.
HIVMA Urges Repeal of HIV-Specific Criminal Statutes
Highlights the detrimental effects of HIV-specific criminalization and supprts modernization of laws and practices to reflect current science and knowledge about HIV, the promotion of education addressing stigma associated with HIV-specific criminalization, and a federal review of federal and state laws, policies and regulations.
The impact of criminalization of HIV non-disclosure on the healthcare engagement of women living with HIV in Canada: A comprehensive review of the evidence
Concludes that HIV-related criminal laws either fail to influence or increase STI testing avoidance, unprotected anonymous sexual contacts, and avoidance of health care because respondents do not feel safe speaking with health professionals. Suggests HIV-related criminal laws compromise public health and clinicians’ abilities to establish therapeutic relationships and to undertake HIV prevention and treatment work.
Ending overly broad criminalisation of HIV non-disclosure, exposure and transmission: Critical scientific, medical and legal considerations
Restates UNAIDS’ position on criminalisation and makes specific recommendations to help governments, policy-makers, law enforcement officials, and civil society limit the overly broad application of criminal law to HIV.
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Droit pénal, santé publique et transmission du VIH : Étude des politiques possibles
Propose un certain nombre de principes pour orienter la réflexion sur la question du droit pénal et du VIH/ SIDA et l’élaboration des lois et politiques y afférentes ; examine les possibilités offertes comme solution de substitution au droit péna et formule une série de recommandations pour une utilisation judicieuse des sanctions pénales et des mesures de santé publique coercitives