HIV Justice Network

The HIV Justice Network (HJN) is the leading community-based NGO building a co-ordinated, effective global response to punitive laws and policies that impact people living with HIV in all our diversities.

Positive Destinations

The new home for the Global Database on HIV-Specific Travel and Residence Restrictions (hivtravel.org), now hosted by the HIV Justice Network. Some countries still restrict entry, stay, or treatment for people with HIV, creating barriers to travel, study, or relocation. ‘Positive Destinations’ helps people living with HIV navigate these challenges with confidence and clarity.

Learning and resources

HIV Justice Academy

The HIV Justice Academy (academy.hivjustice.net) is a brand new global learning and resource hub designed to support people who want to be part of the movement to end HIV criminalisation. It comprises three sections to address three different needs: on-demand Online Learning; practical Action Toolkits; and an extensive Resource Library.

The Global HIV Criminalisation Database

The Global HIV Criminalisation Database consolidates three databases in one: regularly updated information and analysis of HIV criminalisation laws; a regularly updated searchable global database of reported HIV criminalisation cases; and a directory of organisations around the world actively working against HIV criminalisation.

News by the HIV Justice Network

Our 2024 Annual Report:
A Year of Progress, Challenge and Purpose

29 August 2025

New global data reveals rising HIV criminalisation amid stalling legal reforms

15 July 2025

HIV Unwrapped: Justice in Every Stitch

14 July 2025

HJN’s Executive Director remarks to the
56th UNAIDS Board (PCB)

26 June 2025

Humanising the Law: Harnessing Science and
Community Voices to End HIV Criminalisation

28 May 2025

Zimbabwe’s victory:
A beacon of hope for HIV justice amid global challenges

28 March 2025

New case study and documentary examines how Zimbabwe repealed its HIV criminalisation law

5 March 2025

HIV Is Not a Crime Awareness Day:
A Call to Action in a Time of Crisis

28 February 2025

UK Parliamentary Reception Marks HIV Is Not A Crime Awareness Day

28 February 2025

HJN’s Executive Director’s remarks at the UK Parliamentary event commemorating HIV is Not a Crime Awareness Day

26 February 2025

News curated from other sources

Canada: Google refuses to suppress name-based search results in dismissed HIV criminalisation case

heise - Daniel AJ Sokolov

30 August 2025

Canada: Reform of HIV criminalisation laws remains stalled amid political delays

Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press

24 August 2025

US: Missouri prison system ends solitary confinement policy targeting people with HIV

The Marshall Project

24 August 2025

US: Louisiana’s HIV laws lag behind HIV science

WWNO - New Orleans Public Radio | By Halle Parker (Verite News)

20 July 2025

Criminalization and funding cuts threaten global progress against HIV/AIDS

The Guardian

10 July 2025

Benin: MPs attend workshop to gain up-to-date knowledge to support review of HIV Law

BANOUTO

3 July 2025

New Zealand: Survey launches to find out how HIV criminalisation laws impact lives

scoop

3 July 2025

Mexico: Federal Health Ministry issues favorable opinion on HIV decriminalisation initiative

Cámara de Diputados

28 June 2025

Canada: Decades of advocacy ignored as Canada rejects HIV criminalisation law reform

Arvin Joaquin - Xtra

3 June 2025

Mexico: HIV criminalisation in Tamaulipas fuels fear and discrimination

gaceta

2 June 2025

Expert Consensus: Bringing Science to Justice

In 2018, twenty leading HIV scientists published the ‘Expert Consensus Statement on the Science of HIV in the Context of Criminal Law’ to address the misuse of HIV science in punitive laws and prosecutions against people living with HIV. Building on initial scoping report published in 2020, we undertook further research examining the impact of the statement in cases and advocacy in the five years since its publication.

HIV Justice Live!

This special edition of our webshow for HIV Is Not A Crime Awareness Day on 28th February 2024 featured Florence Riako Anam (GNP+); HIV and human rights consultant, Michaela Clayton; Mikhail Golichenko (HIV Legal Network); and Andy Tapia and Kerry Thomas (SERO Project) who explained why HIV criminalisation impacts us all, and what you can do it about it.

HIV criminalisation cases

Uzbekistan: Court sentences woman for alleged HIV transmission despite disclosure to partner

28 August 2025

US: Blood test warrant leads to new HIV-exposure charges in Arkansas

15 August 2025

US: 34-year-old man charged with felonious assault for alleged HIV non-disclosure

14 August 2025

[Update] US: Georgia man on murder charges for alleged HIV transmission seeks more preparation time before trial

13 August 2025

US: Man living with HIV faces assault charges for accidental needle exposure

2 August 2025

Uzbekistan: Court upholds conviction for alleged HIV exposure in Tashkent

31 July 2025

Uzbekistan: Woman sentenced to two years’ correctional labour for alleged HIV exposure

31 July 2025

Uzbekistan: Khorezm Appeal Court upholds six-year sentence in HIV transmission case

31 July 2025

Uzbekistan: Defendant receives 4-year restriction of liberty for alleged HIV non-disclosure

28 July 2025

Uzbekistan: Woman convicted of HIV exposure given 3 years and 6 months non-custodial sentence

28 July 2025

Bluesky

The latest HIV Justice News (29 August) is out! Lead story: our 2024 Annual Report – a year of progress, challenge & purpose. Plus: all latest cases, news, publications & events for HIV justice advocates. Read now: https://mailchi.mp/hivjustice.net/hiv-justice-news-29-august-2025 #HIVJustice #HumanRights #HIVisNotaCrime

29 August 2025

In 2024, Positive Destinations documented several cases of deportation based solely on HIV status: 🔸Kuwait deported over 100 people, 🔸Russia's Dagestan region deported nine, 🔸Libya deported two. Explore Positive Destinations https://www.positivedestinations.info/news/17928-global-study-reveals-50-countries-still-enforce-hiv-related-travel-restrictions

28 August 2025

In 2024, 25 HIV criminalisation cases were reported in Russia, 11 in the United States, followed by Uzbekistan, Spain, Argentina, Belarus, Senegal, and Singapore. For the first time, prosecutions were documented in Panama and Uruguay. What are the 2025 trends? https://www.hivjustice.net/news/new-global-data-reveals-rising-hiv-criminalisation-amid-stalling-legal-reforms/

26 August 2025

Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, the HIV Justice Academy equips you to educate, organise, and advocate for ending punitive laws and policies against people living with #HIV. Transform knowledge into action: academy.hivjustice.net

21 August 2025

Uzbekistan: Abandon Mandatory HIV Testing Law We call on the President of Uzbekistan: Do NOT sign a new law that forces HIV tests on returning citizens & foreign workers and bans foreigners with HIV from working or living in the country. https://www.hivjusticeworldwide.org/en/uzbekistan-mandatory-hiv-testing-law

18 August 2025

The #HIV advocacy toolkits contain customised resources 🔸 Campaigns 🔸 Criminal legal system advocacy 🔸 Media and messaging Take a look https://academy.hivjustice.net/action-toolkits/

11 August 2025

Coercing parents’ infant feeding decisions with the threat of child protection or criminal intervention is a violation of their human rights and a misuse of the state’s power. https://www.hivjustice.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/THPEF641Breastfeeding.pdf #WorldBreastfeedingWeek

7 August 2025

During the 13th IAS Conference on HIV Science #IAS2025, we presented new data that reveals 50 countries around the world continue to enforce HIV-related travel and residence restrictions, in clear violation of international human rights principles. https://www.positivedestinations.info/news/17928-global-study-reveals-50-countries-still-enforce-hiv-related-travel-restrictions

4 August 2025

Science supports that the best outcomes for a parent and a child result from proper medical care, access to treatment, and open, respectful dialogue with healthcare providers. The law should too. https://www.hivjustice.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/THPEF641Breastfeeding.pdf #WorldBreastfeedingWeek

31 July 2025

New data presented at #IAS2025 reveals a rise in HIV criminalisation cases in 2024-2025. Discriminatory prosecutions and harsh sentences are impacting people with HIV. https://www.hivjustice.net/news/new-global-data-reveals-rising-hiv-criminalisation-amid-stalling-legal-reforms/

28 July 2025

Check out the new data HJN presented at IAS 2025 – the 13th IAS Conference on HIV Science in Kigali, Rwanda ⚖️🌍Recent progress and setbacks in HIV criminalisation around the world ✈️🌏Addressing HIV-Related Travel Restrictions www.hivjustice.net

24 July 2025

Today is #ZeroStigmaDay, a powerful reminder that HIV stigma is a social justice issue. HIV criminalisation is both created by stigma and a driver of it. It turns health status into a legal threat and reinforces harmful myths, fear, and discrimination – especially against those already marginalised.

21 July 2025

IAS 2025: Laws, borders & bold designs At #IAS2025, HJN spotlighted: ⚖️ 83 countries still criminalise HIV 🌍 50 still restrict travel 🧵 1 bold design said: HIV is not a crime Read more in #HIVJustice News – your go-to update for HIV justice news, events & resources. 🔗 https://mailchi.mp/hivjustice.net/hiv-justice-news-18-july-2025

18 July 2025

50 countries still restrict travel or residence for people living with HIV. At #IAS2025 @hivjustice.net's new study via #PositiveDestinations tracks global policies harming migrants, students & workers. See: https://www.positivedestinations.info/news/17928-global-study-reveals-50-countries-still-enforce-hiv-related-travel-restrictions End HIV-related travel bans now! #HIVJustice

16 July 2025

New data presented at #IAS2025 shows HIV criminalisation cases are increasing. Most involve no actual harm or risk, and disproportionately affect LGBTQ+ people, women & communities of colour. Some reforms bring hope, but 83 countries still have HIV-specific laws. https://www.hivjustice.net/news/new-global-data-reveals-rising-hiv-criminalisation-amid-stalling-legal-reforms/

15 July 2025

“My goal was to fight stigma and make people feel strong, loved, and safe.” – Dolice Niyomukiza. Her design for #HIVUnwrapped, created with @edwinjbernard.bsky.social for @hivjustice.net, premiered today at #IAS2025 in Kigali. #HIVJustice #HIVScience Learn more: https://www.hivjustice.net/news/hiv-unwrapped-justice-in-every-stitch/

14 July 2025

Amongst the many publications in the Resource Library are academic articles and medical expert statements on HIV transmission, treatment, and medical advancements. Debunk myths and promote accurate information. Explore here: https://academy.hivjustice.net/resource-library

10 July 2025

🔍 How does #HIVcriminalisation intersect with other forms of oppression? HIV criminal laws disproportionately target people from marginalised communities, including sex workers, migrants, people who use drugs, people of colour, and LGBTQ+ individuals. academy.hivjustice.net #HIVJustice

7 July 2025

Robert, a survivor of #HIV criminalisation in the US, shares a shocking and unsettling experience. What was planned as an ordinary vacation in Mexico, turned out to become a “bizarre” sequence of events. Watch this and other first-person stories at www.positivedestinations.info

3 July 2025

In #HIV Justice Live, episode 5, Bringing Science to Justice, we discuss the impact of the ‘Expert Consensus Statement on the Science of HIV in the Context of Criminal Law‘. Judge Zione Ntaba explains how scientific evidence can improve the work of the judicial system. https://youtu.be/yuzuXgA29CU?si=we8X_W3GXHlLLkws

30 June 2025

On this #SupportDontPunish Global Day of Action, we stand with people who use drugs and call for an end to criminalisation. Punitive drug laws don’t protect – they punish. They fuel stigma, worsen health, and compound existing harms – especially when intersecting with HIV criminalisation.#HIVJustice

26 June 2025

At the 56th UNAIDS Board meeting this week our ED @edwinjbernard.bsky.social called for renewed global leadership on HIV criminalisation, urging Member States to decriminalise to save lives & money & invest in @robertcarrfund.bsky.social Read the full statement: https://www.hivjustice.net/news/hjns-executive-director-remarks-to-the-unaids-board-pcb-2/

26 June 2025

The vast majority of #HIV case reports we receive concern alleged sexual transmission or potential or perceived HIV ‘exposure’ usually based on allegations of HIV non-disclosure Check out our analysis of Global Trends in HIV Criminalisation between 2022-24 https://www.hivjustice.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/THPEF632GlobalTrends.pdf

23 June 2025

Today we celebrate one year since the launch of ‘Criminalized Lives’, Alexander McClelland’s powerful book that shares the stories of 16 people unjustly prosecuted for HIV non-disclosure #HIVisNotaCrime #NotACriminal Take a look https://www.hivjustice.net/news/powerful-and-important-new-book-criminalized-lives-published-this-week/

19 June 2025

Explore Positive Destinations to discover 🌍 updates on entry, stay and residence restrictions in law and policy, 🌍 information on access to HIV services for non-nationals 🌍 advocacy and research resources, 🌍 the latest news 🌍 personal testimonies www.positivedestinations.info

16 June 2025

The criminalisation of #BloodDonations by people with HIV is a disproportionate measure – even if the aim of protecting public health through the prevention of transfusion-transmitted infection is legitimate. Why are these laws unjustified? ➡ https://www.hivjustice.net/publication/badblood/

12 June 2025

HIV criminalisation laws are often vague and overly broad, exposing people living with #HIV to unjust arrests, prosecutions and imprisonment. The misuse of these laws harms human rights Learn more about these laws, their effects, and how to push back at academy.hivjustice.net

9 June 2025

The latest edition of #HIVJustice News is out! Discover developments on laws, cases &.advocacy on HIV criminalisation and related issues e.g LGBTI, sex work, drug policy, migration. Plus: our Executive Director on humanising the law in the fight to end HIV criminalisation. https://mailchi.mp/hivjustice.net/hiv-justice-news-6-june-2025

6 June 2025

Planning to travel, study, relocate, or migrate? Check out Positive Destinations, discover up-to-date info and news on HIV-related travel and residence restrictions and access to #HIV services. Take a look: www.positivedestinations.info.

5 June 2025

Just as with HIV criminalisation, the criminalisation of sex work has adverse consequences for the HIV response. Our Global HIV Criminalisation Database has registered at least 60 cases of HIV criminalisation involving sex work. #HIV is not a crime, and sex work shouldn’t be a crime, either!

3 June 2025

Follow HJN on Bluesky