The criminalization of HIV transmission not only violates the human rights, but also hampers the treatment and prevention of the disease, considers Alina Cojocari, head of the Unit of Activities with Persons Living with HIV of the Public Association “Positive Initiative”. The NGO proposed eliminating from the Criminal Code of the Republic of Moldova an article that stipulates punishment for intentional putting of a person in danger of infection with HIV or intentional transmission of HIV by a person who knew that they were infected with this disease. According to the Association, the task of keeping public health can be accomplished without resorting to punitive criminal norms as the spread of HIV can be stopped only by testing and education, IPN reports.
The NGO considers a person who intentionally infected another person with HIV should be investigated and sentenced for intentional damaging of health in accordance with the general legislation. Separately, the criminalization of HIV transmission represents legalized stigmatization and discriminates against persons who live with HIV, labeling them as potential offenders.
Alina Cojocari said the fear of prosecution prevents many people with HIV from seeing a doctor, from having tests. They feel vulnerable. But the antiretroviral therapy is very important both for the HIV-infected persons and for their partners. If the HIV-infected persons start the treatment, in half a year they are no longer dangerous to their partners.
Alina Cojocari noted that the attitude to HIV-infected persons in Moldova has improved. Now HIV testing on employment is not mandatory. However, sometimes the people with HIV experience discrimination. “Positive Initiative” helps the people who live with HIV and are discriminated to seek justice. Information campaigns are conducted. If the person did the test and didn’t test positive for HIV, this should know what prophylactic measures exists. If the test is positive, treatment should be initiated as soon as possible.
In June 2016, in New York, Moldova joined the states that signed the High-Level UN General Assembly’s Declaration on Ending AIDS, pledging to take action to stop the AIDS epidemic by 2030. The UN Program on HIV/AIDS for 2021-2025 aims to minimize the consequences of the AIDS epidemic and of sexually transmitted infections.
