Testing for HIV without consent

SURABAYA: Lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis deplored yesterday the widespread practice of testing targeted people for HIV without their knowledge or consent.

Lubis said in a seminar that the practice, mostly in red-light districts, is a gross violation of human rights.

People from high risk groups are tricked into HIV testing and can not refuse because they are in a helpless position, he said.

Lubis, also known as a human rights campaigner, made the remarks in a seminar organized by the Hotline Surya Foundation, Ford Foundation and the Enabling Private Organization to Combat HIV/AIDS.

Activists of the organizations launched Pacet Declaration, which concerns ethics in the combat against AIDS.

The declaration, which was signed by representatives from 26 non-governmental organizations on AIDS on March 15 this year, was launched only yesterday due to technical problems.

The declaration states, among other things, that there should be no violation of human rights or harassment of people's dignity in handling HIV and AIDS problems. Without consideration of ethics and people's rights, HIV and AIDS preventive action will not bring the expected result, it said. (ste)