Stakeholders from throughout the general public, personal, and improvement sectors have renewed requires the assessment and full implementation of the HIV and AIDS Anti-Discrimination Act 2014.
The decision was made throughout a three-day stakeholders’ assembly organised by the Nationwide Human Rights Fee (NHRC) in Lagos, geared toward combating stigma, discrimination, and human rights violations towards folks residing with or affected by HIV/AIDS.
The occasion drew individuals from the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Nationwide Company for the Management of AIDS (NACA), UNAIDS, the World Well being Organisation (WHO), civil society organisations, authorized and medical professionals. In his opening remarks, NHRC Government Secretary, Tony Ojukwu (SAN) emphasised the urgency of constructing a extra inclusive and rights-based society.
“This assembly marks a vital step in our collective journey to construct a extra inclusive, compassionate, and rights-respecting Nigeria. Your presence displays our shared dedication to safeguarding the dignity and rights of each Nigerian, no matter well being standing or social orientation,” he mentioned. He defined that the 2014 Act prohibits discrimination based mostly on HIV standing in employment, training, healthcare, and different public spheres.
It additionally ensures privateness, entry to justice, and safety from abuse for folks residing with HIV. Regardless of its significance, stakeholders on the assembly acknowledged that implementation has been inconsistent nationwide.
“Discrimination stays rampant in workplaces, well being providers, instructional establishments, and even spiritual settings. This has gone on far too lengthy, and it’s our mandate to reverse this tide,” Ojukwu declared. He added that whereas a number of states have adopted related legal guidelines, gaps stay each in enforcement and within the Act’s protection.
“The NHRC is at the moment main efforts to evaluate and probably amend the legislation to handle new and rising challenges, significantly round key populations and co-morbid circumstances like tuberculosis.
“This initiative varieties a part of NHRC’s engagement underneath the International Fund’s Grant Cycle 7 (GC7), geared toward eradicating limitations to justice and providers for Individuals Dwelling With HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) and key populations (KPs),” he mentioned.
Senior Human Rights Adviser at NHRC, Hilary Ogbonna highlighted how evolving societal and medical realities necessitate a extra inclusive authorized framework.
“New types of discrimination have emerged, and new populations now want safety for folks residing with TB, these going through a number of well being points, and males who’ve intercourse with males. These weren’t adequately addressed when the Act was drafted,” he mentioned.
Director Basic, NACA, Dr. Temitope Ilori, emphasised the necessity for higher identification of discriminatory practices. Ilori, who was represented by Deputy Director, Head, Gender and Human Rights, NACA, Dr. Chukwugozie Ibam mentioned: “You’ll be able to’t clear up an issue should you don’t know what the issue is. We have to clearly determine what constitutes discrimination in all its varieties – cultural, spiritual, or systemic.
“Presently, solely 18 of Nigeria’s 36 states have domesticated the Anti-Discrimination Act.” NACA urged stakeholders to push for broader adoption nationwide.
Lawyer Basic and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) reiterated the federal authorities’s dedication to upholding human rights. The AGF, who was represented by the Director, Residents’ Rights Division of his workplace, Ms. Roseline Tasha, mentioned no Nigerian ought to endure discrimination in any kind.
He mentioned, “This engagement is well timed. We should stand collectively to create an inclusive society the place everybody can thrive.” Nation Director, UNAIDS, Dr. Leopold Zekeng, added that discrimination continues to hinder prevention, therapy, and care, noting that ladies and women are sometimes disproportionately affected.
Oluwafisayo Fakayode, who represented the nation director, mentioned such violations push weak teams to the margins of society, denying them entry to healthcare, security, and dignity.
The Nigerian Bar Affiliation (NBA) President, Afam Osigwe (SAN) described HIV-related discrimination as a gross violation of human rights. Osigwe, who was represented by Director, Programmes Division of the NBA, Oti Edah, pledged the Affiliation’s continued authorized help in combating the stigma.
“We urge Nigerians to embrace empathy and guarantee nobody is left behind,” he mentioned.
