Abstract Book Vol. 2 [International Conference on AIDS (14th: 2002: Barcelona, Spain)]

XIV International AIDS Conference

Abstracts ThPeG8251-ThPeG8255 651

ThPeG8251 The viability of the completion of the declaration of
commitment on HIV/AIDS in Mexico
R.S.B. Sandoval Bautista, F.V.A. Velazquez Adame, H.G.L. Hernandez Garcia.
Miguel Agustin Pro Human Rights Centre, Mexico, DF, Mexico
Issues: This work analyses the activities carried out by the Mexican government
to comply with the areas concerning human rights in the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS.
Descriptions: In June of 2001, the Mexican government, by signing-on to the
Declaration, committed itself to enact, strengthen or comply with laws, regulations and other measures to eliminate all forms of discrimination against people
who live with HIV/AIDS by the year 2003. As a civil organization that provides an
integral defence of human rights, we consider that the conditions have still not
been generated for its full completion.
Lessons learned: In the experience of the ProPositive, numerous situations of
discrimination against people who live with HIV/AIDS in Mexico have been documented. In 2001 alone, 33 individual or collective cases were attended to and/or
defended, in which discrimination and/or human rights violations in the areas of
health, work and the social environment were prominent.
This experience affirms the need for legal mechanisms to guarantee the respect
for human rights of those who live with HIV/AIDS, particularly given the contradictions that currently exist within these mechanisms.
Recommendations: That the Mexican government:
1. Design and carry out a national public policy consistent with the magnitude of
the pandemic that integrates specific programs on the human rights of those people who live with HIV/AIDS. Disene y ejecute una politica publica nacional acorde
a la magnitud de la pandemia que incorpore contenido y programas especificos
sobre derechos humanos de las personas que viven con VIH/Sida.
2. Promote structural changes in public institutions in the areas of labour, health
and social services, from a non-discrimination perspective.
3. Incorporate in the decision making process different strategic actors who can
assist in the compliance with the international commitments acquired.
Presenting author: raymundo sandoval bautista, serapio rendon 57-b, col. san
rafael, 06470 mexico, d.f., Mexico, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone],
E-mail: [email protected]
ThPeG8252 Local councils for the protection of children: a
local government response to a sustained
HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support programme
N.D.S. Dychinco-Sevidal, I.E.F. Fonacier-Felllizar. Non-governmental
Organization, Center for the Promotion, Advocacy and Protection of the Rights
of the Child, c/o 618 Jose Abad Santos Drive, Little Baguio, San Juan, Metro
Manila 1500, Philippines
Issues: In a resource poor country i.e. the Philippines, local government support
and attention to the HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health concerns of children,
youth and families compete with other concerns e.g. food security, agriculture,
and infrastructure. These?other? concerns get priority because of their?high
impact? nature and therefore, are more politically appealing.
Description: This paper will illustrate how an NGO-lead movement was able to
influence local governments to pay attention and concretely take actions towards
prioritizing children, youth and families? concerns on HIV/AIDS, Reproductive
Health and Rights. It will also discuss various advocacy approaches utilized and
explored in order for Local Governments i.e. Quezon City and smaller units of
governance within (Barangays) to appropriately respond to and abide by the National AIDS Law. These include, policy reviews, series of consultations with major
stakeholders, advocacy sessions, creation of task forces, enactment of City and
Community Ordinances, and development planning among others.
Lessons learned: Working knowledge of local laws and governmental ways and
procedures apart from HIV/AIDS, Reproductive Health and Children?s Rights;
making the population greatly affected actively involved in all the processes of
the advocacy work; and, applying all possible creative techniques to achieve the
objective are essential elements advocates and activist will have to take on to do
the job.
Recommendation: HIV/AIDS advocacy is not beyond the Laws of the Land.
To make a difference, activists and advocates must know how to work with not
around it and to employ alternative forms possible to achieve the objective with
this sector.
Presenting author: Nelia O. Dychinco-Sevidal, Center for the Promotion, Advocacy and Protection of the Rights of the Child, c/o 618 Jose Abad Santos Drive,
Little Baguio, San Juan, Metro Manila 1500, Philippines, Tel.: + 632 9133464,
Fax: + 632 9117867, E-mail: [email protected]
ThPeG8253 Bill of rights of the HIV+ persons in Puerto Rico:
contributions and implications for the public policy

process
P. Noboa-Ortega, A. Escabi-Montalvo, R. Cruz-Herndndez. Universidad de
Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico
IssuesDespite prevention efforts,the incidence rates of HIV and AIDS have increased.Unfortunately, the State and society have confronted this epidemic with
many prejudices.Thus,HIV/AIDS patients have been treated unfairly.In most countries their human rights have not been protected by the State.In Puerto Rico the

most significant public policy approved is the "Bill of Rights of HIV+ Persons".It
guarantees the right to intimacy and access to adequate services and thus is one
of the most important legal accomplishments in Latin America.
DescriptionThe goal of this study was to analyze this Bill by 1)describing
its goals and content,2) examining issues surrounding its implementationand
3)presenting recommendations for the formulation of similar policies.We interviewed legislators,directors and employees of government agencies who work
with HIV/AIDS.We also reviewed documents related to the Bill.
Lessons LearnedFrom our examination of the Bill we found that:1)The State
took an active role in designing a policy that guarantees social well being.2)lts
also promoted social justice by seeking fair treatment for a population that is stigmatized and discriminated.3)This policy, however, does not protect the confidentiality of convicted sexual aggressors.From the interview process we discovered
that:1)This Bill contradicts other laws.2)A budget was not assigned for its implementation.3)lt was not implemented due to poor communication between agencies and legislators.4)Most of the people interviewed lack from knowledge of the
content of the Bill.
Recomendationsi)Legislators should examine the policies they propose.2)A
communication structure be designed for the people involved in public policy development.3)A budget be assigned to implement to Bill.4)The knowledge that
HIV+ patients and services providers have about the Bill be assessed.Despite
limitations, the Bill represents an important step in public policies which other
countries should imitate.v
Presenting author: patricia noboa-ortega, boulevard del rio aprt. 1323, ave los
filtros # 300, guaynabo, Puerto Rico, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
ThPeG8254 Voluntary testing & counseling - A myth or reality
in India
A.K. Deshpande. Grant Medical College & Sir J J Hospital, Mumbai, A/8,Shree
Sahawas,90 Feet Road, Ghatkopar East, Mumbai 400 077, India
Issues: Counseling plays a major role in every aspect of modern medicine. However the pre-requisites for successful counseling are many, foremost is availability
of adequately trained counselors. Health seeking behavior, health environment,
awareness of human rights & implementation of governmental policies related to
human rights are other important pre-requisites. Though counseling is equally applicable to all human afflictions, HIV epidemic has brought it to forefront. In India,
with its large population, multi-linguistic-cultural-ethnic communities, counseling
becomes all the more challenging.
Description: Survey conducted to assess availability of trained counselors; attitude & knowledge of doctors towards & about counseling; attitude & knowledge of
masses about counseling; analyze whether counseling was done to the referrals
to our institute; look in to the working of the voluntary testing facilities.
Lessons learned: Survey revealed 1) Extreme paucity of trained counselors in
India, 2) Doctor community at large lack concept of counseling, 3) Patients accept
the doctors as demi-gods and carryout investigations including HIV test advised
by doctor without any counseling, 4) Large masses of patients feel counseling
as empty sermons, 5) Severe economic constrains adversely limit the scope of
counseling in India, 6) A trained counselor in our institute counseled 75 cases
of high-risk behavior & only 5 of them took-up HIV test, 7) 90% out of total 1800
cases in a year of the referrals to our institute are the cases who are referred to us
after testing tem without counseling, & 8) Large number of voluntary testing centers established in teaching hospitals receive not patients but only blood samples
of cases scheduled to undergo invasive procedures.
Recommendations: Extensive training of medical community is needed; inclusion of counseling in the medical curriculum; scrupulous watch on human rights
& integration of HIV disease on par with other disorders.
Presenting author: Alaka Deshpande, A/8,Shree Sahawas,90 Feet Road,
Ghatkopar East, Mumbai 400 077, India, Tel.: [phone], Fax: +91 22
3703696, E-mail: [email protected]
ThPeG8255 An analysis of the HIV and human rights situation
in Botswana
I.M. Melville-Cordner. Non governmental organisation, Private Bag 00416,
Gaborone, Botswana
Issues: This paper will focus on the commitment to human rights within Botswana
that has been displayed in dealing with the HIV epidemic from 1985 to 2002 by
the government and other policy makers
Descriptions: The theme for this year's conference is "Knowledge and Commitment for Action". This paper will show that despite international acclaim about
the expressed political commitment at the highest level and in spite of the economic support of the Government of Botswana, the commitment to human rights
of persons living with HIV and vulnerable groups is lacking.
To effectively deal with the HIV epidemic, human rights must be respected, pro
tected and fulfilled. Botswana is not a state party to the Covenant on Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights. Nevertheless, the Government of Botswana has an
obligation to respect, protect and fulfil human rights. When an audit of the government of Botswana's compliance to the guidelines on HIV and human rights is
done, there are a lot of failings. This is done with a special focus on youth and the
right to education and the rights of gays, lesbians and bisexuals. Both law and
policy were considered in this regard.