November 17, 2008

Rallies Protest HIV-Related Travel Restrictions Worldwide

Many people living with HIV are finding it hard to travel because of the “no entry” policies of various governments—including the United States, reports CNN.

Earlier this year, when the Senate reauthorized the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, it also voted to lift the U.S. ban on immigrants and travelers who are HIV positive. Yet the ban remains in effect until the Department of Health and Human Services modifies its regulations.

Russia also places restrictions on travelers with HIV. Positive visitors are not permitted to stay in the country for more than three months. Those planning to stay long-term must present a certificate stating they are HIV negative.

Crusading against these bans is Ctrl.Alt.Shift, a United Kingdom-based organization that engages youth to combat global and social injustices. The organization argues that there is no public health rationale for “restricting liberty of movement or choice of residence on the grounds of HIV status.”

Ctrl.Alt.Shift project manager Neil Boorman told CNN that the bans and restrictions further the spread of the epidemic by driving the issue underground and forcing people to lie about their health on visa applications.

Search: travel ban, PEPFAR, Department of Health and Human Services, Russia, United States, Ctrl.Alt.Shift

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farah james, Yola, Nigeria, 2008-11-26 04:06:51
The travel ban on persons infected with HIV goes a great length to show the hypocrisy of nations and governments world-wide. They may continue to pump billions, and if possible zillions, of dollars to fight the pandemic, it's nauseating when their actions (travel ban) portray them AS FIGHTING the infected persons. As long as we fail to reach out in love to those infected, mark my words, WE'LL NEVER CONQUER HIV AND AIDS! This travel ban thing is the worst form of conspiracy and overt stigma.