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Regional Networks on Ethics, Law and HIV In a growing number of countries, HIV has pervaded every aspect of social, economic and political life. The role of law in responding to HIV is critical. The legal framework within which HIV is experienced by communities is a powerful factor influencing social attitudes to people living with HIV and efforts by communities to change values, attitudes and behaviours which place individuals at risk of infection. Laws expressing support for people affected by the epidemic and providing effective protection against HIV-related discrimination are a necessary backdrop to a strong ethical policy response which embodies respect for, rather than denial of, human rights in the context of HIV. Recognizing the need to integrate ethics and law into HIV policies, UNDP initiated and supports the establishment of regional Networks on Ethics, Law and HIV. The aim is to strengthen countries' capacities to address the ethical and legal dimensions of the HIV epidemic. The Networks provide a forum for discussing and examining legal strategies adopted by other countries and a mechanism for exchanging resource materials on legal and ethical responses to the epidemic (e.g., model legislation, case studies, judgements, legal literature and personal experiences). The Networks also provide input on legal policy formulation and engage in legal and ethical advocacy. The Networks bring lawyers, doctors and HIV policy-makers together with people living with HIV, their families, carers and community-based HIV support groups. Through this sharing of experience between people and groups who would otherwise often be isolated from each other, a new focus can be brought to bear on the impact of HIV on particular countries and communities and the kinds of policies that will be effective in preventing the spread of HIV and meeting the needs of those affected. The importance of advocacy by and for people affected by the epidemic and their involvement in the formulation of HIV policy are fundamental principles underpinning the Networks. The Asian and Pacific Network on Law, Ethics and HIV was established in May 1993. Participants from 13 countries drafted and endorsed a Statement of Belief setting out the principles which should guide appropriate legal and ethical responses to the HIV epidemic. The Centre for Policy Research and Analysis (CEPRA) at the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, is the Network's focal point. To collect information on relevant activities, a questionnaire was sent to community-based organizations, HIV advocacy groups, human rights groups, lawyers, doctors, academic institutions, policy-makers and others. This information will be used to compile a membership register. Feedback will also be asked on the kind of assistance members need in promoting the Network's objectives in their own countries. To support information exchange and provide a forum for discussion, a newsletter, Focus, is published thrice yearly (first issue: December 1994). CEPRA will also set up a resource centre to make materials on law, ethics and HIV available to Network members. The African Network on Ethics, Law and HIV was established in July 1994. Representatives from networks in 9 countries drafted and endorsed the Dakar Declaration, which will serve as the basis for strategy, policy and programme formulation. The Network is now taking shape, with a 10th country network recently applying for membership. A letter has been sent to each country network requesting details on their objectives, strategies, activities, calender, budget and potential funding sources. The Network on Human Rights, Ethics, Law and HIV in Latin America and the Caribbean Area is in its preparatory phase. Preliminary meetings have been held and potential Network members identified in a number of countries. Country reports will be elaborated for a regional consultation to officially establish the Network. The meeting will be held in Caracas, Venezuela, in the first half of 1995.
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