HIV/AIDS related law, ethics and human rights violations will be tackled by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) as the region moves to address discriminatory practices against persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families. The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) along with USAID will be lending financial support to the Community while the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network will provide technical assistance.
The creation of registers of human rights violation at country level and the establishment of mechanisms of redress within the legal system are among the areas pinpointed for action under the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV/AIDS, following the just concluded multi-disciplinary group meeting in Trinidad and Tobago. The forum brought together lawyers, human rights activists, health workers, persons living with HIV/AIDS, representatives of regional institutions and Non-Governmental organisations along with CARICOM Secretariat officials in three days of deliberations from 12 to 14 June 2002.
As the Community upscales its response under a Regional Strategic Framework, its Secretariat, collaborating with the multi-disciplinary group of professionals, will be working on programmes of advocacy as well as policy development and legislation.
The involvement of persons living with HIV/AIDS and the Caribbean Bar Association have been identified for pivotal roles in the Regional Action Plan in combat against the dreaded disease.
