Kripa Foundation warns violation of HIV/AIDS Act
Expressing dismay over the publication of a photo of representatives of an NGO visiting AIDS hospice and distributing rations on the occasion of Republic Day, Kripa Foundation cautioned that it was a violation of HIV/AIDS Act, 2017.
KF explained that such act of sharing of photos of People Living With HIV (PLHIV), especially of children, was liable for legal action as per the HIV/AIDS Act, 2017 for disclosing their HIV status. Kripa Foundation director Abou Mere appealed to all citizens to be cautious while sharing photos of PLHIV and also to read and understand the Act. He pointed out that penalties under this section 39 of the Act included punishment with fine, which could extend up to Rs 1 lakh, “unless such disclosure is pursuant to any order or direction of a court.”
According to the Act, those committing such violations needed to undergo a fixed period of counselling related to the violation committed and fixed period of social service. He further reiterated that it was imperative that the State government created awareness on the HIV/AIDS Act, 2017.
He called for better coordination between state government and NGOs to ensure greater synergy, work in partnership and make people aware and understand about the Act and its rules.
Mere wished no one landed into a legal problem “due to his or her ignorance of the Act.” He also pointed out that the state government was required to appoint one or more ombudsmen under section 49 of the HIV/AIDS Act 2017 to inquire into violations of the provisions of the Act. Further, Mere reminded the government of its obligation to appoint ombudsmen and establish strategies and action plans to prevent HIV and human rights violation of PLHIV, especially of children who cannot voice or asset their rights on their own.
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