UNAIDS calls for lifting travel ban on HIV-positive people
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UNAIDS, backed by parliamentarians from all over the world, called for the lifting of travel restrictions on HIV-positive people which are still in effect in 52 countries. The call was made at the 122nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Bangkok on Sunday.
The 122nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union brought together 680 lawmakers from 128 countries who backed the UN's call.
The Inter-Parliamentary Union and UNAIDS called on lawmakers in countries with such bans to lead the way in removing them. The organizations also urged parliamentarians to support legislation and law enforcement to protect HIV-positive people from discrimination.
“By placing restrictions on the travel and movement of people living with HIV, we needlessly rob them of their dignity and equal rights,” said Theo-Ben Gurirab, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. “Parliamentarians have a duty to protect the rights of all citizens, including people living with HIV.
“Travel restrictions for people living with HIV do not protect public health and are outdated in the age of universal access to HIV prevention and treatment,” said Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director. “Parliamentarians can play a vital role in removing discriminatory laws and restrictions.”
"We are calling for global freedom of movement for people living with HIV," he said.
HIV-related restrictions on entry, stay and residence
According to the publication Mapping of Restrictions on the entry, stay and residence of people living with HIV (UNAIDS, May 2009), and latest developments as of March 2010:
52 countries, territories, and areas impose some form of restriction on the entry, stay and residence of people living with HIV based on their HIV status:
1. Andorra
2. Armenia
3. Aruba
4. Australia
5. Bahrain
6. Belarus
7. Belize
8. Brunei Darussalam
9. China
10. Comoros
11. Cuba
12. Cyprus
13. Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
14. Dominican Republic
15. Ecuador
16. Egypt
17. Fiji
18. India
19. Iraq
20. Israel
21. Jordan
22. Kuwait
23. Lebanon
24. Lithuania
25. Malaysia
26. Marshall Islands
27. Mongolia
28. Namibia
29. New Zealand
30. Nicaragua
31. Oman
32. Papua New Guinea
33. Paraguay
34. Qatar
35. Republic of Moldova
36. Russian Federation
37. Samoa
38. Saudi Arabia
39. Singapore
40. Slovakia
41. Solomon Islands
42. Sudan
43. Syrian Arab Republic
44. Taiwan, China
45. Tajikistan
46. Tonga
47. Turkmenistan
48. Turks and Caicos Islands
49. Ukraine
50. United Arab Emirates
51. Uzbekistan
52. Yemen
6 countries require declaration of HIV status for entry or stay, resulting, for people living with HIV, in either a bar to entry/stay or the need for discretionary approval (including through granting waivers):
Brunei Darussalam
China
Oman
Sudan
United Arab Emirates
Yemen
5 countries deny visas for even short term stays:
Egypt
Iraq
Qatar
Singapore
Turks and Caicos Islands
23 countries deport individuals once their HIV-positive status is discovered:
1. Armenia
2. Bahrain
3. Brunei Darussalam
4. China
5. Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
6. Egypt
7. Iraq
8. Jordan
9. Kuwait
10. Malaysia
11. Republic of Moldova
12. Mongolia
13. Oman
14. Qatar
15. Russian Federation
16. Saudi Arabia
17. Singapore
18. Sudan
19. Syrian Arab Republic
20. Taiwan, China
21. United Arab Emirates
22. Uzbekistan
23. Yemen
[Source: UNAIDS]
Pattaya City Time
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