MPs to amplify voice of HIV, Aids patients

living with HIV and Aids.
The legislators representing more than 45 constituencies, who recently met in Victoria Falls to deliberate on HIV, human rights and the law said to show their commitment, they would launch the Zimbabwe

Parliamentarians Against Aids (ZIPAH) within the next three months.
The parliamentarians also declared to organise a voluntary group that would undergo voluntary counseling and testing to encourage testing of HIV.
“We commit ourselves to providing national leadership on HIV responses by shaping a conducive legislative and policy framework that place human rights at the centre of HIV prevention, treatment, care and support in

Zimbabwe,” reads part of the declaration of principles adopted at the end of the meeting.
“We will organise and encourage all MPs to place HIV and AIDS and related issues as part of their daily agenda at constituency and national levels,” it further reads.

The MPs said they would advocate for their involvement in national HIV and AIDS structures and processes such as action Aids committees, Global Fund and crafting of strategic plans.
In relation to current legislation on HIV, the parliamentarians noted that existing laws on criminalisation of HIV transmission were wide in scope and needed revisiting.

“We admit that our present laws on criminalisation of HIV transmission are wide in scope and seek to punish and control. This hampers efforts to deal with HIV openly without fear and secrecy – thereby discouraging disclosure, testing and uptake of health care services,” further reads their declaration.

An example is section 79 of the Criminal Law Codification Act, which they say, is over broad in its current form. According to the section, any person who deliberately transmits HIV to another person shall be liable to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 20 years.

In a case where the complainant consents to the act with full knowledge that the partner was positive, the accused person will use that as a strong defence.
A lot of questions have been raised on this section, which include what does knowing that one is infected mean and what is the knowledge.