Dimapur, Jan. 27 (EMN): An organisation working for rehabilitation and de-addiction of drug users in Nagaland has strongly objected to the publishing of a picture of children from an AIDS hospice on the Sunday edition of a local newspaper.
The picture was contained in a press release issued by a business group following its visit to an AIDS hospice in Kohima for “distribution of ration” to mark the occasion of Republic Day.
The Kripa Foundation, Kohima, issued a statement on Sunday terming the publicity a clear violation of HIV/AIDS Act 2017. “This publicity (sharing of PLHIV children photo) is liable for legal action as per HIV/AIDS Act 2017 under the disclosure of HIV status,” it stated.
According to the foundation, ‘persons who have committed the violation need to undergo a fixed period of counselling related to the violation and a fixed period of social service.’ It appealed to all the citizens to be ‘cautious’ while sharing photos of PLHIV; and to ‘read and understand’ the HIV/AIDS Act 2017.
The state government, it stated, should create awareness across the state about the HIV/AIDS Act 2017. No one should land in legal trouble due to ignorance of the Act and its contents, according to the foundation.
Also, the state government needs to appoint one or more ombudsman in consonance with the HIV/AIDS Act 2017 “to inquire into violations of the provisions of the Act,” it stated.
According to the foundation, the state government should further establish strategies and action plans to prevent the Human Rights violation of PLHIV, especially those children who cannot voice or assert their rights on their own.
