Law and HIV/AIDS Project

Although, Nigeria introduced its National Policy on HIV/AIDS (“National Policy”) in June 2003, there has yet to be any significant effort to address the legal issues in connection with HIV/AIDS. This much is acknowledged in the National Policy itself, which recognizes the dearth of appropriate HIV-relevant legislation and appropriate legal responses. However, it does not elaborate on the form or nature of anticipated interventions. This is the gap that DIN’s Law and HIV/AIDS Project seeks to close. In its first phase from 2004-2005, project activities focused on developing a credible and accurate knowledge and information base through:

1. research;
2. public discourse;
3. publications; and
4. policy advocacy.

In the second phase, 2006-2007, the emphasis was on:

1. providing an enabling and supportive environment for persons living with or affected by HIV/AIDS through the drop-in legal clinics at the Community Advice Centre;
2. para-legal training for community activists and volunteers; and
3. the constitution of a legal aid fund.

Guidelines on Law and HIV and AIDS

DIN’s work in reducing vulnerability to HIV and AIDS by protecting human rights is a core activity of its public interest law programme. On 30 June 2005, DIN, had a public presentation of the Guidelines on Law and HIV and AIDS. These are factsheets, which explain the basic principles that are crucial to promoting and protecting the human rights of persons living with or affected by HIV or AIDS.

They are based on the legal entitlements provided for under the 1999 Constitution and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights. The Guidelines have since been widely distributed to the Members of the National Assembly, policy makers, NGOs, counsellors and social workers.