AIDS WAR

Is it a crime knowingly to pass on HIV/AIDS to another? Currently, there are no laws to charge someone with such an offence, but legislation to that effect may be passed here.

Before that, Vincentians will be engaged in a process of consultation over six months designed to provide the groundwork for the passage of appropriate laws in this country’s House of Assembly. {{more}}

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves outlined this last Tuesday, while speaking at the launch of the HIV AIDS Prevention and Control Project.

Health and Environment Minister Dr. Douglas Slater described that day as “momentous”.

The Parliamentary representative for South Leeward, has been one of the leading figures in the efforts to heighten the campaign to halt and reduce the incidents of HIV/AIDS here. His work has impacted on the regional scene, having served at the Caricom level in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The debate on HIV/AIDS also arouses passions and sensibilities, given the personal nature of the issue.

However, there are some sensitive areas that will have to come under wider public scrutiny, sooner, rather than later. And one of those will be the legal aspect.

One other development, which is likely to generate heated argument, is whether condoms ought to be distributed in prisons.