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March 6, 2008
UNAIDS Task Force Fights HIV Travel Bans
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.”
tom, toronto,canada, 2008-03-30 07:20:02
people do not understand we have it tough in so many ways to us its like dragging a heavy ball and chain around with us all we want is a good life we want to be loved and most of all want to love by refusing to let us see the world knowing that even us we do not know the next time we will be sick or worst let us see the beautiful wonders of the world
Carlos, MI, 2008-03-29 01:14:38
To Sharon in Houston and to others that might think alike. Please note that Sharon's situation has nothing to do with being HIV+. This travel ban, as you can see by Sharon's reaction, only supports unreasonable hate. Perhaps if her marraige hadn't failed, she would think differently.
mike, New York, New York, 2008-03-22 23:17:19
Can they make us feel any more like a piece of dirt on the side of the street ! This is a sick world we live in. Very depressing and scary
ante, Belgrade, 2008-03-18 07:17:21
I travel a lot,and during my travels i stop with my treatments.I know that is not clever,but i cannot stand humiliation on the borders if they find out that i am hiv+.I am shoked how many contrys in Europe have restrictions for entry.I want to relocate to US and fact that i am positive is very,very big issue.I am very,very sad because of that.
shane kaka, Auckland, 2008-03-17 07:38:20
What about the undiagnosed traveller? Do they get refused entry? What about blood tests for everyone before they intend to travel then maybe the countries that refuse entry will wake up! Like we have heard Hiv/aids has no discrimination or barriers. Which country has no infection and disease? Some country that is ignorant and hyprocritical and they are the ones with the travel bans!
Shane Kaka, Auckland, 2008-03-17 07:19:07
You can get infected while on holiday overseas? What support will that country give you. Travel restrictions will have no effect on the spread of the disease.This is another form of discrimination and as soon as these restrictions have been lifted we will all have a better understanding and less discrimination. Countries that have restrictions against Hiv/Aids should also have restrictions against the uninfected traveller.
Nadine, NY, 2008-03-12 10:42:41
I think this is great. I mean how ignorant are these governments? What do they think someone will come visit and infect their population!! HELLO HIV IS EVERYWHERE!!!
Phil Lawrence, NY, 2008-03-11 22:02:18
Do we stop people with cancer or herpes from crossing borders? With a simple condom or clean needle HIV can be held at bay, unlike airborne viruses we know or have yet to see on our shores.
Jeffrey Breitbart, W. Hollywood, 2008-03-11 19:52:47
Interesting article though I would have liked to see the countries named which currently have a ban.
Lon, BOYNTON BEACH, 2008-03-11 19:51:12
i would'nt want 2 go 2 a country that would be so backwards as 2 not allow people, or even restrict people from going.
Hudson, Bay Area, 2008-03-11 19:07:05
Tony, this site was posted earlier -www.eatg.org/hivtravel - check this out, its an eye opener.
Michael, Maryland, 2008-03-11 18:54:58
This ban is crazy and jeopardises the privacy of medical information.
ROch, Buenos Aires, 2008-03-11 17:52:30
Well thats exactly as one person said, Iam from Argentina and my country allow people to enter without being tested. So it is that i got HIV from a Us Citizen. But if i wanna go the states. the wont allow me because of being HIV positive. VERY NICE . Hateful nasty US .
Tony B, , 2008-03-11 16:25:10
Is there a list of the counties that currently have travel bans based on HIV status?
wegayhu, jijiga, 2008-03-11 16:03:23
it is the worest issues that brings descrimnation againest the peopel that we are living with this travel bun will not help in the fight againest ids now adays almost all infected peoples are not wonted to pass it to others noninfected indvigual so lifting this restriction will have great importanc in the fight against HIV rather than incresing ret of infection and will bring internal descrmination to end in the comunity living togeser in every place in this world peacefully THANKS wegayhu
