Bangkok, Thailand - IDLO co-hosted the first ever Asia Pacific Regional Consultation on HIV-related Legal Services and Rights, to exchange best practices and share achievements on legal aid and access to justice for people living with HIV (PLHIV).
“Legal aid services are essential to addressing the discrimination and rights violations faced by people living with HIV and key populations,” declared David Patterson, Head of the IDLO Social Development Programs Unit. “The law and access to justice play a critical role in strengthening access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support for PLHIV and key populations.”
“IDLO is committed to strengthening the capacity of lawyers and the judiciary to respond to HIV-related legal issues and working closely with communities.”
The event, co-hosted with the Asia Pacific Network of People Living with HIV (APN+), the University of Sydney, RTI International, UNAIDS and UNDP, brought together community advocates, lawyers and government representatives, from eleven countries across Asia and the Pacific.
The Consultation built upon the discussions, outcomes and recommendations of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) High Level Intergovernmental Meeting on HIV (February 2012) and the Global Commission on HIV and the Law