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programmes

street law

HIV/Aids, The Law & Human Rights Project

The school environment must become a place that is aware and informed about HIV/AIDS

Discrimination, degradation, assaults, dehumanisation are all important human rights issues for society to be able to address issues of HIV/AIDS. It is important for people suffering from HIV/AIDS to be respected as equal human beings. Government, private institutions and individuals must affirm their dignity and worthiness and offer unconditional support and empathy. It is only through the creation of a non-discriminatory environment that people suffering from HIV/AIDS will voluntarily disclose their HIV/AIDS status. Respect for human rights is an important prerequisite for the prevention of HIV/AIDS.

Public health policies for the prevention, education and treatment of HIV/AIDS should therefore take into account respect for human rights as the core to the challenge of HIV/AIDS. The South African Constitution respects the human rights of all people. The reaction to HIV/AIDS in our country has resulted in the infringement of many of the fundamental freedoms and human rights the constitution affirms.

Street Law's HIV/AIDS, the law and human rights project examines HIV/AIDS from a human rights perspective and looks at how the law protects the rights of people living with the disease and how one can support and understand their predicament. This is important information not only for those who are HIV positive, but for all South Africans who are faced with the social and economic impact of the disease. The project provides user-friendly information and is directed at learners, university students, educators, community members, health workers and prisoners. Topics covered include the Nature of HIV/AIDS; Socio-economic Rights and HIV/AIDS; the Right to Dignity, Privacy and Bodily Integrity; Confidentiality and Liability; Children's Rights and HIV/AIDS; HIV/AIDS and the Learning Environment; Prisoner's Rights and HIV/AIDS; Health Care and HIV/AIDS, Labour and HIV/AIDS; Dying with Dignity; and HIV/AIDS and Citizen Participation.