Friday, February 14, 2014

Jail, fine for propagating hatred against HIV affected



Any person found guilty of spreading or propagating hatred against people living with HIV/AIDS will face strict punishment of imprisonment
up to two years and a maximum fine of Rs one lakh, according to a proposed legislation. The new bill introduced in the Rajya Sabha today seeks to protect rights of persons living with HIV/AIDS and end discrimination against them through stringent penal measures. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2014, was tabled in the Upper House amid din by Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. The bill provides for protection to those infected by HIV and AIDS from denial of employment and harassment of any kind, besides provision of medical treatment while ensuring confidentiality and privacy while providing HIV and AIDS related services. The bill also provides protection to such persons from being subjected to an HIV test without their informed consent.