The Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has set up a task force to work toward the eliminations of international travel restrictions on HIV-positive people, the UN News Center reports (un.org, 3/5).

According to data from the European AIDS Treatment Group, 104 countries have some form of HIV travel ban, and 12 countries ban HIV-positive people from entering completely.

In an UNAIDS press release published on March 4, executive director Peter Piot said, “Travel restrictions based on HIV status again highlight the exceptionality of AIDS, especially short-term restrictions.”

"No other condition prevents people from entering countries for business, tourism, or to attend meetings,” he continued. “No other condition has people afraid of having their baggage searched for medication at the border, with the result that they are denied entry or worse, detained and then deported back to their country.”

Related news:
Senate Committee Votes to Remove HIV Travel Ban, March 14, 2008
Congress May Eliminate HIV Travel Ban, March 12, 2008