Legislation to be introduced in Trinidad to protect rights of AIDS victims

A relatively large number of Caribbean nationals are being affected by the deadly HIV/AIDS virus, and the twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is no exception.

And to this end the government of the country is being asked to introduce legislation in order to protect the rights of persons affected by the deadly virus.

Although there are policies regarding people directly affected by HIV/AIDS, there is no legislation in the Caribbean, including Trinidad and Tobago, catering to the needs of people who are affected.

The Advocacy and Human Rights sub-committee at the National AIDS Coordinating Committee has asked Cabinet to pave the way for appropriate legislation.

The legislation will touch on education, privacy, confidentiality, voluntary and mandatory testing, pre-test and post-test counselling and use of donated blood and organs. It will also focus on vulnerable groups, such as orphans, women, prisoners, commercial sex workers and homosexuals. continue reading