Media release from the New Zealand AIDS Foundation

High profile New Zealanders and supporters of The New Zealand AIDS Foundation (NZAF) have today been the focus of international attention as they launched a new UN department dedicated to challenging legal hurdles to HIV justice and equality.

The Global Commission on HIV and the Law was launched on Thursday in Geneva, at a special press conference, attended by former Prime Minister Helen Clark. The Global Commission brings together eminent leaders from public life, national representatives, community advocacy groups and HIV/Human Rights legal experts. The Commission's aim is to develop actionable, empirical and human rights-based recommendations for law and policy reform across the world.

Ms Clark, who is head of the UN Development Programme and a long-time supporter of the NZAF, will spearhead the new Commission. Joining her as a Commissioner is New Zealander and MP Charles Chauvel, a former Chair of the NZAF Trust Board. NZAF Patron and former Justice of the High Court of Australia, Hon Michael Kirby will also play a key role in the body, also as a Commissioner.

Laws have a deep impact on people's lives and the new body will focus on some of the most challenging legal and human rights issues people face, including the criminalisation of HIV transmission and sex work. The Commission will do this by responding to laws, policies and practices that negatively affect, discriminate or marginalise people with HIV, such as laws that escalate stigma, discriminate against gay and bisexual men, and reduce access to legal, health and social services.

Rachael Le Mesurier, NZAF Executive Director says: "We're delighted that this new UN organisation has been established to tackle legal and policy challenges surrounding HIV. The political clout and international prominence of the UN will push these issues to the forefront of the global agenda and we're incredibly proud that people from, and close to, the NZAF have been selected to take part.

"From its earliest days of the organisation, the NZAF was very clear that human rights legislation was a priority if NZ was to have an effective response to HIV. The NZAF advocated strongly for human rights legislation related to HIV including the Homosexual Law Reform Act in 1986, the Human Rights Amendment in 1993 and the Prostitution Law Reform Act in 2003.

"The appointment of people so closely affiliated to NZAF shows that our Human Rights-based approach to tacking HIV is internationally recognised. Across the world people are being socially isolated and deprived of basic human rights because of the law allows it - thanks to the help of New Zealanders we'll make great strides in putting this to an end."

Alastair Cameron, NZAF Trust Board Chair, and himself a lawyer, says: "It's fantastic that New Zealanders and NZAF supporters are now leading the global fight for HIV social justice. We've congratulated all those participating and we are both delighted and proud."