The purpose of this Handbook is to assist parliamentarians and other elected officials in promulgating and enacting effective legislation and undertaking appropriate law reform in the fight against AIDS. A brief outline is given of the international law basis of the International Guidelines on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights. These Guidelines require States Parties to human rights treaties to review, and if necessary, amend their laws, policies and practices to ensure compliance with defined norms. Certain rights including health, nondiscrimination, privacy, education, information, autonomy, liberty, freedom of expression and association, and freedom from inhuman, degrading treatment or punishment are then examined specifically in the context of HIV/AIDS. The Handbook analyses each of the 12 International Guidelines on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights and gives best practice examples of their implementation, in terms of content and/or process, at national and sometimes local and regional levels.

Analyzes the 12 International Guidelines on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights and gives best practice examples of their implementation.

Builds on the "Handbook for legislators on HIV/AIDS, law and human rights: action to combat HIV/AIDS in view of its devastating human, economic and social impact", published by UNAIDS and IPU in 1999. Gives an overview of the role of members of parliament in taking action on HIV-related law and policy reform, stressing the importance of human rights in this endeavour. Covers issues of prevention, care and support, and ways of reducing vulnerability amongst women, children, sex workers, prisoners, refugees, etc. Lists the activities of various UN organizations regarding HIV/AIDS.

This is an invaluable resource for lawyers, policy makers, and other practitioners with an interest in countries' responses to HIV/AIDS. Legal Aspects of HIV/AIDS: A Guide for Policy and Law Reform covers 65 wide-ranging topics in a concise, accessible format, explaining how laws and regulations can either underpin or undermine public health programs and responsible personal behavior. For each topic, the Guide summarizes the key legal or policy issues, provides relevant "practice examples" (citing actual laws and regulations), and offers a selective list of references that may be consulted for more information. Laws relating to many areas of our lives - from intimate physical conduct to international travel - can contribute to stigma, discrimination, and exclusion or, contrariwise, can help remedy these inequities. In order to create a supportive legal framework for responding to HIV/AIDS, it is important that governments effectively address gaps and other problematic aspects in their legislation and regulatory systems. This book, written by a team of leading legal experts, helps them do so.