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.
New

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.

Get all latest HIV justice news curated in our regular newsletter sent directly to your email.

Latest edition HIV Justice News - 15 January 2025
Sign up now
Impact report

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.
Webshow

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.

News by the HIV Justice Network

2024 in review: Progress amid challenges

Feature
16 January 2025

Introducing Positive Destinations:
Information and Advocacy on Travelling
and Relocating with HIV

Press Release
18 December 2024

HJN’s Mid-Term Review:
Embracing innovation and inclusivity
in our advocacy, training and knowledge-sharing

Feature
25 November 2024

New HIV criminalisation data at AIDS 2024

News
6 September 2024

Meet HJN at AIDS 2024

Press Release
16 July 2024

HJN’s Executive Director’s remarks at the UNAIDS Board Meeting on the sustainability of the HIV response

Opinion
27 June 2024

Powerful and important new book, ‘Criminalized Lives’ published this week

News
21 June 2024

Civil society statement on the proposed re-criminalisation of HIV in Zimbabwe

Press Release
31 May 2024

Death penalty for unintentional HIV transmission via same-sex sex struck down by Uganda’s Constitutional Court

Opinion
9 April 2024

UK Parliament Commemorates HIV Is Not A Crime Day

Feature
12 March 2024
Show more

News curated from other sources

Mexico: Initiative to repeal of HIV criminalisation article in Federal Criminal Code sent to Justice Commission

Talla Politica
17 January 2025

US: HIV law reform tops advocates agenda for 2025 legislative session in Maryland

Washington Blade
10 January 2025

Mexico: Advocacy organisation calls for the repeal of HIV criminalisation law in Tabasco

Xeva
29 December 2024

Mexico: Bill proposes new HIV/STI prevention law in Chihuahua and Criminal Code reform

El Heraldo
18 December 2024

Poland: Health Ministry advocates revising HIV exposure laws to align with modern science

Polskie Radio 24
13 December 2024

Senegal: “The application of criminal law is an injustice against people living with HIV”

APS
13 December 2024

Mexico: Legislator proposes repeal of HIV criminalisation statute in State of Mexico

Diario Amanecer
12 December 2024

Mexico: Senator proposes initiative to repeal HIV criminalisation in Mexico

Talla Política
4 December 2024

Mexico: Baja California legislator seeks reform of HIV Criminalisation Law

Christian Galarza / La Voz de la Frontera
2 December 2024

Canada: Calls for action grow as political calculations leave HIV law reform in limbo

Fugues
30 November 2024
Show more
Key resource

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.
Featured resource

Advancing HIV Justice 4

Our latest in the Advancing HIV Justice series, published in July 2022, with the subtitle, 'Understanding Commonalities, Seizing Opportunities' provides a progress report of achievements and challenges in global advocacy against HIV criminalisation.

HIV criminalisation cases

France: 28-year-old man convicted of alleged HIV transmission

15 January 2025

[Update]Canada: Man convicted in 2009 for alleged HIV transmission refused parole a second time

24 December 2024

US: Woman arrested and charged with felony in Oregon for alleged HIV exposure

22 December 2024

Canada: 31-year-old man faces prison for alleged HIV transmission and non-disclosure

19 December 2024

Türkiye: Man facing charges of “attempted murder” in Istanbul for alleged HIV non-disclosure

15 December 2024

US: Man sentenced to two to three years in jail in Ohio for alleged HIV exposure

23 November 2024

Zimbabwe: Former spouses present conflicting narratives around alleged HIV transmission in civil court case

15 November 2024

Russia: Case of alleged HIV transmission in Orenburg to be considered by Dzerzhinsky District Court

2 November 2024

Russia: Supreme Court of the Komi Republic upholds verdict in case of alleged HIV transmission

30 October 2024

Uruguay: 26 year old woman, “presumed” to be HIV-positive, sentenced to 4 months for spitting at police officer

21 October 2024
Show more

Bluesky

In 2024, reported #HIVcriminalisation cases rose to 65, compared with 57 in 2023 and 50 in 2022. These cases were documented across 20 countries, highlighting a troubling upward trend. Read more https://buff.ly/40z4aEp

16 January 2025

In case you missed it… We proudly relaunched the Global Database on HIV-specific Travel and Residence Restrictions as Positive Destinations. Our mission is to empower people living with HIV who travel, relocate or migrate through information, advocacy, and solidarity. 👉 https://buff.ly/41F8TWn

13 January 2025

Today, on International Migrants Day #IMD2024, the HIV Justice Network is proud to announce the relaunch of The Global Database on HIV-specific Travel and Residence Restrictions under a new name: Positive Destinations (https://buff.ly/41F8TWn) Watch the video documentary: https://buff.ly/41HMs2C

18 December 2024

In the final #HIVJustice News of 2024, we proudly launch #PositiveDestinations: Information and advocacy on travelling and relocating with HIV; remember Sero's Cindy Stine, and provide you with all the latest news and resources: https://mailchi.mp/hivjustice.net/hiv-justice-news-18-december-2024

18 December 2024

Want to learn more about #HIV criminalisation? 💡 The HIV Justice Academy is global learning and resource hub for beginners through to experts, designed to help you be part of the movement to end HIV #criminalisation. https://buff.ly/4ijzwGa

16 December 2024

No effort to achieve #UniversalHealthCoverage will be complete if stigma, discrimination and #HIVcriminalisation deter people from accessing healthcare services. #HealthForAll https://buff.ly/3ZFK7DU

12 December 2024

HIV criminalisation violates the right to health, equality, and freedom from discrimination. This #HumanRightsDay, join us in the fight for justice and dignity for people living with HIV. #HumanRightsDay https://buff.ly/3ZFK7DU

10 December 2024

On #HumanRightsDay, ICW, ARASA, HJN and SALC stand united to denounce punitive responses to people living with HIV who breast/chestfeed or comfort nurse. These practices are unjust, harmful, and violate fundamental human rights. Read our joint statement: https://www.hivjusticeworldwide.org/en/breastfeeding

10 December 2024

#HIVcriminalisation undermines the basic human rights of people living with HIV. These laws fuel stigma, discrimination, and inequality, disproportionately affecting marginalised communities. #HumanRightsDay https://buff.ly/3ZFK7DU

9 December 2024

Lashanda Salinas shared her experience with the #HIVJusticeAcademy ➡️ Share Lashanda’s story and enrol for FREE in The HIV Criminalisation Online Course and fight for #HIVJustice buff.ly/4ijzwGa

5 December 2024

#HIVcriminalisation is likely to heighten the risk of violence and abuse women face. Research indicates that young positive women are ten times more likely to experience violence and abuse than their #HIV negative counterparts. https://academy.hivjustice.net/resource/10-reasons-why-criminalisation-of-hiv-exposure-or-transmission-harms-women/ #16Days #NoExcuse

2 December 2024

Despite a global trend against #HumanRights, some countries are removing harmful laws that punish people for having #HIV. #WorldAIDSDay2024 #EndAIDS www.hivjustice.net

1 December 2024

If you haven’t seen it yet, check out the @unaids.bsky.social #WorldAIDSDay report! It underlines that “#HIV policies grounded in human rights achieve superior results over those that are not rights-based.” Learn how rightspath.unaids.org

30 November 2024

To "Take the Rights Path"... ➡️ means ending with punitive laws that hinder the enjoyment of human rights for all ➡️ means ending #HIVcriminalisation ➡️ means promoting enabling and supportive legal environments #WorldAIDSDay2024 #EndAIDS #HIV

29 November 2024

🚨 Exciting Updates from the HIV Justice Network! 🚨 We’re thrilled to share some major milestones for the HIV Justice Network: Read all about these milestones and more in our latest newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/hivjustice.net/hiv-justice-news-27-november-2024 #HIVJustice #Inclusivity #HumanRights #HIVAdvocacy #PositiveDestinations

27 November 2024

Women are usually the 1st to learn their HIV status and may be vulnerable to being falsely blamed for bringing HIV into the relationship. Women living with HIV are also vulnerable to violence in intimate relationships and the threat of prosecution only increases that vulnerability. #16Days #NoExcuse

25 November 2024

The Global HIV Criminalisation Database includes search tools to access HIV criminalisation case reports. If you are a lawyer, policymaker, or community advocate working to end HIV criminalisation, find information by country or topic. https://www.hivjustice.net/global-hiv-criminalisation-database/cases/

21 November 2024

Punitive approaches to breast/chestfeeding by people living with HIV are inconsistent with current scientific information regarding #HIV transmission and fundamental principles of #humanrights and criminal law https://www.hivjustice.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/THPEF641Breastfeeding.pdf

18 November 2024

Too many laws or prosecutions single out people living with HIV for unjust punishment contrary to international recommendations and ignoring up-to-date science. Such laws and prosecutions are ineffective and counterproductive to public health and human rights. www.hivjustice.net/publications/

15 November 2024

Despite a reduction in reported cases, more than half of jurisdictions actively enforce their #HIV laws. #HIVcriminalisation continues to be a major threat to public health and human rights. https://hivjustice.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=24ef358a8ed074187991f576a&id=ac1c792fa6&e=89b6a61679

14 November 2024

Do you know someone who might benefit from the ✨HIV Criminalisation Online Course✨ or the other resources in the ⚖️HIV Justice Academy ⚖️ – our Action Toolkits and Resource Library? Why not share this link with them today: academy.hivjustice.net #HIV #Criminalisation #HumanRights #law #health

14 November 2024

Learn how to find, read and interpret research on #HIV criminalisation, and how advocates have successfully used research to challenge #HIVcriminalisation. Download the full guide and harness the power of research for effective advocacy: https://academy.hivjustice.net/resource/using-research-in-the-fight-against-hiv-criminalisation-a-guide-for-activists/

14 November 2024

HIV criminalisation undermines the human rights of people living with #HIV, many of whom are also members of marginalised or additionally criminalised communities. ➡️ learn more about #HIVcriminalisation https://hivjusticeworldwide.org/en/what-is-hiv-criminalisation/

14 November 2024
Follow HJN on Bluesky

Together we can make HIV JUSTICE WORLDWIDE a reality!

The HIV Justice Network serves as the secretariat for a global coalition campaigning for HIV JUSTICE WORLDWIDE. Visit www.hivjusticeworldwide.org (also available in French, Russian, and Spanish) to learn more about what we do, and how you can join the movement to end HIV criminalisation.