AIDS awareness among judiciary low, but ball set in motion: Sarode Express news service Posted online: Sunday , December 02, 2007 http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/AIDS-awareness-among-judiciary-low-but-ball-set-in-motion-Sarode/245701/
Pune, December 1 : For the first time, the district court at Shivaji Nagar held a session on Saturday morning to sensitise the judges about the issues relating to 'HIV/AIDS and human rights.' This session was prompted by a notice from the National Legal Services Authority which has asked the judges to mark the World AIDS Day on Saturday by educating themselves on the issue. "The government came up with the 'HIV AIDS Bill 2004,' which is currently pending," said lawyer Asim Sarode, who held the session. "Even though there is no law now, the rights of the people with HIV/AIDS can be protected by the judiciary in the lower courts. And these steps can be taken even before the bill becomes the law." Among the issues touched upon that needed judges to be aware with respect to HIV/AIDS included protection of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) from discrimination at work, during marriage or divorce, and at prisons. "Section 377 is a barrier in spreading awareness about AIDS. Condom distribution is illegal in prisons because homosexuality is an illegal act according to Section 377. However, homosexuality is a reality in prisons," Sarode said. "There is a population of about 65,000 in the state and about 4,000 in the city who are in prisons. Many others are in remand homes and asylums. And some of them flit in and out of prisons on a regular basis and could be carriers of the disease." Section 377 is currently being scrutinised by the Supreme Court. In cases of divorce and dismissal of employees without specified grounds, the judge needs to enquire if the HIV/ AIDS is the reason. "There is also a precedent in the Bombay High Court law 'MX vs ZY AIR 1997 BOM 496,' which allows anonymity to the parties — if they so wish," Sarode said. While the session with the judges lasted for 45 minutes, Sarode said that it was a one-sided affair. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "lgbtdiscuss" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/lgbtdiscuss?hl=en-GB -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
