The Governments of Fiji and Papua New Guinea have been applauded for taking the first steps to review laws and policies which impact on human rights-based health programme initiatives and the rights of people living with HIV.
This was highlighted during a regional consultation on the need to review laws and policies against those living with HIV and AIDS.
Speaking on behalf of civil service organisations, Fiji’s Temo Sasau said the efforts made by both Fiji and PNG were commendable in highlighting the need to stop discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS.
“This is an opportunity for us to build on our efforts to identify key aspects of the legal environment – laws, law enforcement practices and access to justice – that are hindering access to HIV services for people living with HIV and key populations, and to map out a time-bound action plan to address this,” Mr Sasau said.
“The Governments of PNG and Fiji must be commended for taking a lead role in advancing the issues of HIV/AIDS.”
There are only 1,000 days left until the deadline for achieving HIV targets.
In the Pacific, in the area of legislation and reform, much has been done – legal environments have been reviewed, declarations have been made, for example the Auckland and Suva Declarations.
Fijian President, His Excellency Ratu Epeli Nailatikau said progress towards legislative amendments had been slow, because HIV-related law reform could be a monumental challenge, given the punitive approach and the high levels of stigma and discrimination.
“Sex workers and men who have sex with men face the constant threat of arrest, conviction, and incarceration in the Pacific and in countries in other regions as well. Programmes to reduce stigma and discrimination and increase access to justice remain under-funded and at a small scale,” Ratu Epeli said.
The consultation is being done with government and civil society organization representatives from seven Pacific nations (Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu) to review laws and policies which impact on human rights-based health programming initiatives and the rights of people living with HIV.
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