Testing for HIV without consent

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)