BANGKOK, 2 December 2012 – To mark World Aids Day yesterday, the Thai Network of People Living With HIV or Aids urged an end to discrimination and violations of their rights, and campaigned for public acceptance of their rights to study and work.
The network made their call at Bangkok’s Mor Chit 2 Bus Terminal, where they also held events to educate the public about HIV and handed out condoms.
Network president Apiwat Kwangkaew said that although overt discrimination against people living with HIV had eased, other more discreet methods persisted. For example, some universities and workplaces had an obligatory blood-test policy before accepting students and employing people. Mr Apiwat said that such obligatory testing was not only a severe violation of human rights but it also affected the future and life of the person.
The network demanded all parties to stop such right violations, stigmatisation and discrimination. Mr Apiwat urged all agencies to abandon obligatory blood testing before and during employment. He said that no educational institutions should be allowed to use HIV as a reason to violate students’ right to education.
He added that the government must promote learning and understanding about HIV prevention among everyone, not just the people living Aids.
By RADIO THAILAND & INSIGHT INFO
