KELIN participates in a regional meeting on Revolutionizing approaches to criminalization of HIV non-disclosure and exposure

On 24 – 25 April 2017, KELIN joined regional partners in Johannesburg (South Africa) to interrogate revolutionary approaches to the criminalization of HIV non-disclosure and exposure discourse. The meeting, hosted by the AIDS and Rights Alliance for Southern Africa (ARASA) and HIV Justice Network reflected on the challenges and opportunities and what needs to be done to end HIV criminalization to achieve HIV Justice Worldwide.

In the meeting, KELIN shared on recent developments in East Africa with the commencement of the East Africa Community HIV Prevention and Management Act 2012. It was noted that the EAC HIV Act is a progressive piece of regional legislation that creates a common, responsive legal framework for HIV and AIDS through the application of a rights based approach and incorporation of good standards and practices.

The EAC HIV Act does not have a provision criminalizing HIV despite most of the countries in East Africa either criminalizing or contemplating the criminalization of HIV transmission, non-disclosure and exposure. KELIN recently rallied stakeholders in East Africa to advocate for the realignment of their national laws in line with the EAC HIV Law. This was during a stakeholder’s sensitization forum held on 5-6 April 2017 in Nairobi.

KELIN will continue with sensitization and building capacities of communities as well as undertaking strategic litigation against criminalization of HIV in the region.

To contribute to the discussion and for live updates follow KELIN on our social media platforms using the hashtag #Decrim4Health.

Twitter: @KELINkenya

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kelinkenya

For more information contact:
Timothy Wafula

Programme Associate, HIV & TB

Mombasa Road, Somak building 4th Floor

P O Box 112 – 00200 KNH Nrb,

E-mail: twafula@kelinkenya.org

Website: www.kelinkenya.org