The launch came on the eve of World AIDS Day 2016 with the compendium hailed as a crucial document to aid in the fight for human rights of persons living with HIV (PLHIV). Ms. Amanda Serumaga, the UNDP-Kenya Country Director noted in her remarks that;
“The Compendium is a collation of progressive jurisprudence and presents user-friendly compilation of judgments on HIV-related matters that highlight how the law has been used to protect individual rights in Kenya. It presents an important reference for actors in the legal sector, development practitioners, members of the public sector in general and other stakeholder to inform their further action in safeguarding and promoting enjoyment of a quality of life by Kenyans infected and affected by HIV”
The Compendium was officially launched by Dr. Nduku Kilonzo, Director of National AIDS Control Council (NACC), and Dr. Steve Ouma, Deputy Director of Judicial Training Institute (JTI). The launch was attended by over 130 people including KELIN pro bono lawyers, communities of persons living with HIV from across the counties, representatives of civil society organisations, representatives of government agencies, the media, and donor organisations, among others.
This Compendium documents cases decided by the HIV Tribunal since 2012. These cases touch on discrimination, testing without consent, breach of confidentiality, termination of employment on the basis of HIV status and questions around the jurisdiction of the Tribunal. All the cases reported in the Compendium were filed by persons living with HIV against medical facilities, employers, religious institutions, non-governmental organizations and county governments.
To contribute to the discussion and for live updates follow KELIN on our social media platforms using the hashtag #HIVRights
Twitter: @KELINkenya
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kelinkenya
For more information contact:
Allan A. Maleche
Executive Director
Kenya Legal and Ethical Issues Network on HIV & AIDS (KELIN)
4th Floor, Somak Building, Mombasa Road
Tel +254202515790; Cell +254708389870;
Email: amaleche@kelinkenya.org
