Scrap harmful laws that increase discrimination, UNAIDS urges

“People most vulnerable to HIV are often also the most marginalized in society,” said the UNAIDS Country Director for Indonesia, Krittayawan Boonto. 

“Unfortunately, instead of receiving sufficient protection from discrimination, harmful laws still exist, putting marginalized populations at increased vulnerability”.

On Zero Discrimination Day, UNAIDS is highlighting the urgent need to act against discriminatory laws. 

In many countries, legislation results in people being treated differently, excluded from essential services or being subject to undue restrictions on how they live their lives, simply because of who they are, what they do, or who they love, says UNAIDS.  

“Criminalization greatly undermines the HIV response,” explained Ms. Boonto. Such laws are discriminatory – they deny human rights and fundamental freedoms. 

States have a moral and legal obligation to remove discriminatory laws and to enact laws that protect people from discrimination.  

And everyone has a responsibility to hold states accountable, push for positive change, and contribute to efforts to remove legalized discrimination. 

“This Zero Discrimination Day, UNAIDS calls for countries to take urgent action to protect vulnerable groups, including people living with HIV and key populations from discrimination,” the UN Country Director said. 

Cases in point 

Shelly recounted how she felt compelled to go from one treatment site to another, after overhearing nurses gossiping about patients’ medical histories, before landing at Jamaica AIDS Support for Life, on the Caribbean island.  

“I felt uncomfortable. If I am hearing about other clients, other clients can come inside and hear about me as well,” she reasoned. 

UNAIDS Country Director for Jamaica, Manoela Manova, explained that “comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation will strengthen the legal framework for the protection of human rights towards achieving equality for all.”  

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