The Global Database on HIV related travel restrictions

There are many countries around the world that restrict the entry, residence and stay of foreigners who are HIV positive. These countries perpetuate stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV by singling out HIV as a “dangerous disease”. This database lists country-by-county how each government of the world does or does not impose these outdated and discriminatory laws. While these restrictions are commonly referred to as “travel restrictions”, the effect these laws have on individuals and families is more serious than this term may imply.

The Global Database on HIV-Related Travel Restrictions is an initiative of the German AIDS Federation, the European AIDS Treatment Group and the International AIDS Society. The Database provides updated information from 196 countries, on existing regulations denying entry or residency for people living with HIV, based on relevant country legislation. Wherever possible the database informs about the mechanisms used in practice, to support implementation and enforcement of HIV-related travel restrictions. It is the successor to earlier information provided on the European AIDS Treatment Group web site.


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Stand United and Take Action

Dear Stand Up Take Action (SUTA) partners,


The United Nations System in the Philippines is once again inviting you and your organization to participate in this year's Stand Up, Take Action campaign to help achieve the eight (8) Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). With the theme "Stand United, Fight Poverty", the global campaign will run from 16 to 18 October 2009 and coincide with the annual observance of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and the Philippines' National Week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 717-2004.


The focus of this year's campaign are the Goals that are least likely to be achieved by 2015, namely, MDG 1: eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; MDG 2:achieve universal primary education; MDG 5: improve maternal health and MDG 6: combat HIV/AIDS in particular.


As we are nearing the final stretch to the 2015 MDG deadline, all efforts are geared towards increasing the clamor for policy and programmes change and ensuring that more Filipinos become aware of the significance of these Goals in their everyday life.


Last year, through your help, the campaign successfully mobilized 35.2 million Filipinos through various events and activities - the largest number ever recorded by a country worldwide. This year, we are inviting you again to join this global effort by doing any of the following: 1) Stand Up and Vote for the MDGs by getting your organization members to accomplish the attached "I Vote for the MDGs" survey form and submit to the Stand Up Secretariat on or before 18 October; 2) organize your own Stand United, Fight Poverty event; 3) join our planned events which will be posted in the website. The more people that participate, the louder our message will be to take action now.


For more details, visit http://www.un.org.ph/standup or you may email us at standupphilippines@yahoo.com to get the Stand Up brochure, which you can print, fill up and send to us by fax (632) 901-0404 or by email to standupphilippines@yahoo.com. It would be a great privilege to have you join us and the rest of humanity in this global fight against poverty. Join us, take action and be counted!


Bai Bagasao
UNAIDS Country Coordinator