Today, October 3, 2019, in Chisinau, the first EECA Regional Judges’ Forum on HIV, Human Rights and the Law started its works. The event will last two days and will bring together judges, experts and representatives of the magistracy schools of Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan and Ukraine.
"For the National Institute of Justice, the issue of respecting human rights is of particular importance. Although the issue of the protection of those affected by the HIV virus is not the specific object of the NIJ trainings, the modules dedicated to human rights also touch on the vulnerability of people with this syndrome, their right to justice, access to jobs and, as a red thread in our trainings, the treatment of stereotypes and exclusion of discrimination are promoted”, declared the Director of the NIJ, Diana Scobioala, at the beginning of the event.
In the opening also spoke Gerd Trogeman, Manager of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Europe and Central Asia, Istanbul Regional Hub, Dima Al-Khatib, UNDP Resident Representative for the Republic of Moldova, Ruslan Poverga, President of the Public Association "Positive Initiative", and Olena Volkova, judge, Ukraine.
The Forum will discuss the latest scientific, medical and epidemiological data on HIV prevention, treatment and care, as well as the recent international and regional guidelines on HIV, collateral infections, law and human rights. Also, topics related to social and structural factors that increase the vulnerability of people living with HIV and key populations, the judicial and legislative response to HIV and the legal provisions at national, regional and international level will be covered.
The EECA Regional Judges’ Forum on HIV, Human Rights and the Law, organized by the United Nations Development Programme and the National Institute of Justice, will serve as a platform that will facilitate the exchange of experience and sharing the challenges that arise in the work of judges with reference to the protection of human rights in the context of HIV and co-infections.
