Greece Reinstates Law that Violates Human Rights of PLHIV

A draconian Greek law violating the rights of its population has been reinstated under its new Health Minister Adonis Georgiadus.

The law was scrapped in May 2012 under national and international pressure, but was revived in June 26th this year. Health Regulation 39A allows police to force those suspected of being HIV positive to undergo mandatory HIV testing. Human rights activists and groups are up in arms over the reinstatement, arguing that it unfairly cracks down on sex workers, drug users and undocumented migrants. Furthermore, the law in effect has led to reports of People living with HIV (PLHIV) being subjected to enforced isolation, home eviction and having their names published to the wider public.

Early treatment and diagnosis is obviously important; however mandatory HIV testing can produce negative health outcomes, such as mistrust of the health system, fear, stress and anxiety, failures in treatment and thus viral suppression.

The Greek government has implemented this policy due to its concern over a sharp rise in HIV cases. 2011 saw a 200% increase in HIV amongst youth. However it has slashed its HIV prevention budgets from 35 million euros in 2010 to 20 million last year. This is antithetical to reducing HIV prevalence in population, and this new law means that more money is being funneled into punitive measures, rather than being used to invest in HIV prevention, testing, care and support services. Education campaigns and sensitizing people to HIV have proven time and again to be the most effective and intuitive prevention strategies.

International organizations have widely condemned the Greek policy, including UNAIDS, the World Health Organization and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. “The Greek Health Minister is clearly violating basic human rights and human dignity under the guise of ‘protecting the community from contagious diseases,’” Doctors of the World, a non-profit, said in a statement reacting to the news.

It is important to keep this issue in the spotlight. It is by sharing this news that the movement to repeal this draconian law can be energized and amplified. Like and share if you agree.

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The link between HIV transmission and the war on drugs

In New York, one in seven persons who use drugs is living with HIV. 30% to 40% of these these users still share needles, leading to an increased exposure to HIV. In sub-Saharan Africa, one-third of all new HIV infections happen to people using injection-drug.

The link here? Repressive law enforcement activities by United States, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, among others. Nations with the most aggressive drug policies report terrifying infection rates amongst people who use drugs.

In fear of recrimination, they are prevented from seeking clean needles. When infected, they are further driven away from available health services and treatments and are instead increasingly mired in unsafe practices that increase the risk of infection. Such a vicious cycle makes HIV more prevalent than it should be in even the most developed countries and in certain regions.

Instead of criminalising drug users, the focus should move towards prevention and treatment. Government should encourage people who use drugs – as well as others who are at risk – to come forward for treatment. Such measure are proven to be far economical than to reinstate policies that aim to threaten those faced with drug addiction.

Concerted effort should be made to advocate AIDS prevention message. As the sayings goes, “prevention is better than cure”, resources used to criminalise people who use drugs can be better placed towards community education and outreach programme.

In place of fear, the voice of authority should be sown with empathy, support and positivity. Everyone has a right to health, even people who use drugs. The ongoing war on drugs deters us further to truly put an end to AIDS and therefore shall be put to an end, too.

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