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Guyana rejects criminalising HIV transmission

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) — Guyana's Parliament has rejected a proposal that would have made it a crime to knowingly infect someone with HIV, saying it would lead to further discrimination and discourage voluntary testing.

The South American country has one of the highest HIV rates in Latin America and the Caribbean, with an estimated 13,000 people infected out a total population of 745,000.

Health Minister Leslie Ramsammy praised last night's vote, saying such a law would only worsen the stigma of HIV and encourage people to avoid testing.

"This in turn can lead to increased spreading of HIV from those who do not know their status," Ramsammy said.

The United Nations' Caribbean office congratulated legislators on making what it called "a mature and measured decision."

"Such a law would have deepened the climate of denial, secrecy and fear surrounding the virus in Guyana," it said in a statement.

"Ironically, a measure meant to reduce the spread of HIV could have led to its increase."

Opposition legislators did not vote on the proposal because of an unrelated boycott.

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quote:
Guyana's Parliament has rejected a proposal that would have made it a crime to knowingly infect someone with HIV, saying it would lead to further discrimination and discourage voluntary testing.




I don't care what The United Nations' Caribbean office has to say, I find this wrong.

What about the person on the receiving end?
cain
I do not know that a statute decriminalizing a careless action is ever considered a prudent health prevention! These people are nuts. Is one knows they have a sexually transmittable disease and do not take the necessary precaution from infecting others is a criminal action and no damn legislation can make it otherwise. I am sure it is unconstitutional. One cannot knowingly cause harm.
FM
In Canada, the Supreme Court ruled in 1998 that HIV-positive people have a legal duty to disclose their status to sexual partners — a ruling that laid the groundwork for convicting Hamilton’s Johnson Aziga of two counts of first-degree murder.

More that 130 people living with HIV have faced criminal charges...


Extractd from The Star.com
Mitwah
quote:
Originally posted by Mitwah:
In Canada, the Supreme Court ruled in 1998 that HIV-positive people have a legal duty to disclose their status to sexual partners — a ruling that laid the groundwork for convicting Hamilton’s Johnson Aziga of two counts of first-degree murder.

More that 130 people living with HIV have faced criminal charges...


Extractd from The Star.com
These people are living in their own bizRRO world. And for a nation with the worse HIV infection rates in the Western Hemisphere we ought not to be encouraging transmission of this virus. Without US subsidy in this arena we would be a crippled economy simply from the infection rates of HIV. Besides the corruption of the Narco trade; HIV is the second most crippling thing to our development.
FM
quote:
Originally posted by Mr.T:
The moral of the story is not to consider having intercourse with any local Guyanese female when you go on holiday . I hope that tourists are informed of the danger to their lives, and the favourable conditions the PPP has created in order to aid the spread of HIV.



Tman, this affects both male and female.
cain
quote:
Originally posted by D2:
quote:
Originally posted by Mitwah:
In Canada, the Supreme Court ruled in 1998 that HIV-positive people have a legal duty to disclose their status to sexual partners — a ruling that laid the groundwork for convicting Hamilton’s Johnson Aziga of two counts of first-degree murder.

More that 130 people living with HIV have faced criminal charges...


Extractd from The Star.com
These people are living in their own bizRRO world. And for a nation with the worse HIV infection rates in the Western Hemisphere we ought not to be encouraging transmission of this virus. Without US subsidy in this arena we would be a crippled economy simply from the infection rates of HIV. Besides the corruption of the Narco trade; HIV is the second most crippling thing to our development.


It could be self serving interest; they don't want to prosecute themselves. Also, if the rate of infection goes down it means a cut in foreign aid. clever
Mitwah
quote:
Originally posted by cain:
quote:
Originally posted by Mr.T:
The moral of the story is not to consider having intercourse with any local Guyanese female when you go on holiday . I hope that tourists are informed of the danger to their lives, and the favourable conditions the PPP has created in order to aid the spread of HIV.




Tman, this affects both male and female.

I am not worried about Pravi and his friends Wink.
Mr.T
quote:
Originally posted by Mr.T:
quote:
Originally posted by cain:
quote:
Originally posted by Mr.T:
The moral of the story is not to consider having intercourse with any local Guyanese female when you go on holiday . I hope that tourists are informed of the danger to their lives, and the favourable conditions the PPP has created in order to aid the spread of HIV.




Tman, this affects both male and female.

I am not worried about Pravi and his friends Wink.


Pavi claims the SNAKE OIL Jagabat uses during their private moments together has medicinal (anti-HIV) properties.
FM

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