Dialogue on World AIDS Day to strengthen HIV-related legal services

Read the social media post from the Department of Health: "LOOK: OIC SINGH-VERGEIRE DISCUSSES WITH HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATES AND LEGAL PRACTITIONERS WAYS TO STRENGTHEN THE ROLE OF THE LEGAL COMMUNITY IN HIV RESPONSE" (Screenshot)

Text of the Statement of Commitment at the Dialogue on HIV, Human Rights and the Law, "End HIV, Act for Equality Para sa Healthy Pilipinas" as follows:

STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT

We, the leaders and members of justice sector, recognize that HIV and AIDS is an ongoing worldwide public health issue.

We realize that the Philippines has become the country with the fastest growing HIV epidemic in Asia and the Pacific and has become one of eight countries that account for more than 85 percent of new HIV infections in the region. There are 105,794 HIV cases recorded from January 1984 up to September 2022 and a total of 6,185 AIDS-related death.

We recognize that with the rising number of HIV cases, it is undeniable that there is also an increase in the level of stigma and discrimination among Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV) and Key Populations (KP). Some are still denied employment opportunities or are fired from jobs, bullied and harassed in the community, confidentiality of their HIV status being violated, ordered to limit contact with family and loved ones, and discriminated against in many other ways because of their perceived and/or known HIV status.

We recognize that responding to the epidemic requires not only increasing HIV prevention and treatment services but also protecting and promoting human rights through redress mechanism and progressive legal response.

As leaders and members of justice sectors, we recognize our critical role in challenging stigma and discriminatory practices against people living with and affected by HIV and key populations.

We this, we commit to strengthen HIV-related legal services, that is gender sensitive and empowering, and that will enable people who are socially marginalized to have access to the justice system for HIV-related problems and to obtain protection and redress.

Signed this 1st of December of 2022, in time for the observance of the World AIDS Day.