NAMIBIA: Disclosure a no-go - AIDS lawyer

Namibia's AIDS Law Unit on Friday said disclosure of a person's HIV status, before or after death, could "open up a Pandora's box of potential legal problems".

The ruling SWAPO party this week proposed that the global norm of "non-disclosure" should be relaxed when it comes to HIV/AIDS.

"Disclosure of a person's HIV status goes against Article 13 of the Constitution and soon to exist government HIV/AIDS policy," AIDS Law Unit lawyer, Tenu Avafia, told the UN news service PlusNews.

Avafia said disclosure would expose people living with HIV/AIDS to the stigma and prejudices associated with the disease.

Meanwhile, a Congress of Democrats member, Linus Chata has slammed the government for taking a "limp-wristed" approach in tackling the pandemic.

Theme (s): Care/Treatment - PlusNews, Other,

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]