15th International AIDS Conference Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. E10224)

mwondela KK
university of zambia, lusaka, Zambia

ISSUES: Discrimination of PWHA in Zambia has resulted in denial of enjoyment of fundamental rights increase in vulnerability to the pandemic and undermine of prevention/treatment efforts. Anti-discrimination clauses in Constitutions and other codes are tools that can be utilised to combat HIV related discrimination.

DESCRIPTION: Desk and field research undertaken with specific objectives-To analyse legal and human rights dimensions of discrimination vis-a-vis HIV/AIDS in Zambia-To analyse and evaluate institutions that enforce anti-discrimination law and policy and their effectiveness.

LESSONS LEARNED: Legal remedies deal with symptoms not with causes which lie in the absence of human rights culture-Zambia's anti-discrimination clauses and policies must address discrimination prospectively deterring its practice and retrospectively by providing an effective legal remedy when it happens-Formal structures like the judiciary etc should be empowered to administer a culture of non discrimination and training sessions for members of public bodies on HIV/AIDS human rights gender and law be given priority. Recommendations-Zambia must ammend anti-discrimination clauses to assure greater protection and promotion of human rights for all particularly PWHA-Public awareness campaigns be undertaken to enable challenging discrimination and to hold Government to account and increase Para-legal capacity to assist PWHA claim rights -Financial and other support be given for the taking up of public interest litigation eg Zambia's first HIV related discrimination case -Increased production of IEC materials including simplified and translated texts and commentaries on protective laws and policies including international human rights standards-The National AIDS Council should be empowered to take a lead in advocacy for laws and policies that are based on an appreciation for human rights.

040711
E10224

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