HKU to hold High Level Dialogue - Punitive laws, human rights and HIV prevention among men who have sex with men in Asia Pacific (English only)

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health (ACPOM) and the Center for Comparative and Public Law (CCPL) at the Faculty of Law, The University of Hong Kong will release the key findings and recommendations of the UNDP-APCOM study entitled: "Laws affecting HIV responses among men who have sex with men and transgender people in Asia and the Pacific: an agenda for action" during a High Level Dialogue to honour the International Day against Homophobia on Monday, 17th May 2010.

HIV prevalence is at alarming levels among men who have sex with men in Asia and the Pacific. If countries fail to address the legal context of the epidemic, this already critical situation is likely to become worse.

Throughout the Asia and Pacific Region, current legal environments often fail to adequately protect the rights of men who have sex with men and transgender people. Criminalization of male-to-male sex exists in countries of the region, and in some cases has led to vigilantism and abuse by local authorities. Even in the absence of criminalization, other provisions of law and practice obstruct intervention, outreach, and delivery of essential HIV, health and support services. This very debate was at the heart of the recent landmark ruling by the Delhi High Court that Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code unfairly discriminates against men who have sex with men and consenting adults in general.

This High Level Dialogue will bring together key members of the Judiciary, Parliament, Community advocacy groups and the UN system. The discussion will explore how effective HIV prevention can only be achieved in a conducive legal environment that allows unimpeded dissemination of evidence based prevention messages, appropriate service provision, and creates confidence among the most marginalized and vulnerable to seek information and access health related services. The 120-minute High Level Dialogue will be followed by a 20-minute Press Conference.

Date: 17 May 2010 (Monday)
Time: 5pm to 7pm (High Level Dialogue); 7pm to 7:20pm (Press Conference)
Venue: Council Chamber, 8/F Meng Wah Complex, University of Hong Kong
Panelists:
- Hon. Michael Kirby, Australia
- Hon. Ajit Prakash Shah, India
- Hon. Dame Carol Kidu, Member of Parliament and Minister for Community Development Papua New Guinea
- Dr. Mandeep Dhaliwal, United Nations Development Progarmme (UNDP), New York
- Shivananda Khan, O.B.E, Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health (APCOM)
- John Godwin, HIV and Development Consultant
Moderator:
- Thomas Abraham, Director of the Public Health Communications Programme, Journalism and Media Studies Centre, the University of Hong Kong

For more information, please contact:
Edmund Settle, UNDP HIV policy specialist at edmund.settle@undp.org or +66 (0) 818369300, Bangkok, Thailand
Kelley Loper, Director, LLM (Human Rights) Programme, Faculty of Law, HKU at kloper@hku.hk  or (852) 2219-4235, Hong Kong, SAR (China)