29 Nov, 2012
World AIDS Day Message: Business Leaders Seek End To HIV Travel Curbs
United Nations, Nov 28 2012 (UN News) – In a move jointly sponsored by the United Nations agency dealing with the global HIV/AIDS response, more than 40 top business leaders today called for the repeal of laws and policies restricting freedom of movement of people living with HIV.
“Every individual should have equal access to freedom of movement,” said the Executive Director of the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Michel Sidibé. “Restrictions on entry, stay and residence for people living with HIV are discriminatory and a violation of human rights,” he added.
The Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) are speaking out ahead of World AIDS Day, which is observed globally on 1 December. They represent nearly two million employees in industries from banking to mining, travel to technology, according to a news release issued by UNAIDS and GBCHealth, which comprises companies addressing global health challenges.
Travel and other restrictions remain in 45 countries, and threaten people with HIV with such penalties as deportation, detention or denial of entry into the country in question.
Calling HIV restrictions “bad for business,” Chip Bergh, President and CEO of Levi Strauss & Co., said, “Global business leaders are coming together to make sure we end these unreasonable restrictions.”
Most restrictions were imposed by governments in the 1980s, when less was known about HIV transmission, and treatment did not exist. Since then, much has been learned about how to effectively prevent, manage and treat HIV, the news release noted.
“It’s time to send HIV travel restrictions packing,” said Kenneth Cole, CEO of Kenneth Cole Productions. “Using our collective might, I believe we can use our influence to eliminate these discriminatory practices.”
Mark Bertolini, Chairman, CEO and President of Aetna, reflected that sentiment by adding: “Travel restrictions on individuals with HIV are unnecessary and hinder the ability for individuals and companies to operate in a truly global workforce.”
Other major companies whose CEOs have joined the appeal include Johnson & Johnson, The Coca-Cola Company, Pfizer, Heineken, Merck, the National Basketball Association, Kenya Airways and Thomson Reuters.
While restrictions affecting HIV carriers vary from country to country, they can also include denial of work visas, disallowing short-term stays for business trips or conferences, and blocking longer-term stays, such as residence-for-work relocations and study-abroad programmes, according to UNAIDS.
The United States lifted its 22-year HIV travel ban in 2010, while other countries that have removed restrictions include Armenia, China, Fiji, Moldova, Namibia and Ukraine. “These countries include major hubs for international business,” noted the agency.
Ending discrimination against HIV carriers is part of the “Getting to Zero” theme for World AIDS Days from 2011 to 2015. The day was launched in 1988, and was the first ever global health day.
A new World AIDS Day report
Results, by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), shows that unprecedented acceleration in the AIDS response is producing results for people.
Declining new HIV infections in children
The area where perhaps most progress is being made is in reducing new HIV infections in children. Half of the global reductions in new HIV infections in the last two years have been among newborn children.
Fewer AIDS-related deaths
The report shows that antiretroviral therapy has emerged as a powerful force for saving lives. In the last 24 months the number of people accessing treatment has increased by 63% globally.
More investments
The report shows that countries are increasing investments in the AIDS response despite a difficult economic climate. The global gap in resources needed annually by 2015 is now at 30%. In 2011, US$ 16.8 billion was available and the need for 2015 is between US$ 22-24 billion.
In 2011, an estimated:
- 34 million [31.4 million – 35.9 million] people globally were living with HIV
- 2.5 million [2.2 million – 2.8 million] people became newly infected with HIV
- 1.7 million [1.5 million – 1.9 million] people died from AIDS-related illnesses
10 goals for 2015
- Sexual transmission of HIV reduced by half, including among young people, men who have sex with men and transmission in the context of sex work;
- Vertical transmission of HIV eliminated and AIDS-related maternal deaths reduced by half;
- All new HIV infections prevented among people who use drugs;
- Universal access to antiretroviral therapy for people living with HIV who are eligible for treatment;
- TB deaths among people living with HIV reduced by half;
- All people living with HIV and households affected by HIV are addressed in all national social protection strategies and have access to essential care and support;
- Countries with punitive laws and practices around HIV transmission, sex work, drug use or homosexuality that block effective responses reduced by half;
- HIV-related restrictions on entry, stay and residence eliminated in half of the countries that have such restrictions;
- HIV-specific needs of women and girls are addressed in at least half of all national HIV responses;
- Zero tolerance for gender-based violence.
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