treatment
16 January 2009
Parliament is hosting a two day Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) training
seminar for Members of Parliaments from the Southern African Development
Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) on increasing access to
treatment for HIV and AIDS.
The seminar, part of a series of regional training seminars launched by the
IPU, will also discuss the SADC Model Law on HIV, which the SADC Parliamentary
Forum adopted on 24 November 2008 at the 24th Plenary Assembly in Arusha,
Tanzania.
The SADC Model Law on HIV has been in the making since June 2007 and seeks to
assist legislators to arrive at common provisions to address gaps in their
country specific legislative and policy frameworks.
The AIDS and Human Rights Research Unit at the University of Pretoria provided
technical assistance in the drafting of the Model Law, which covers the
following key issues:
1. HIV testing and counselling
2. Protection of rights of people living with HIV or affected by HIV
3. Treatment, care and support.
4. Research and clinical trials
5. Support to people living with HIV and their organisations
6. Offences and penalties.
To read the SADC Model Law on HIV in Southern Africa and for the full seminar
programme, please go to http://www.parliament.gov.za
Seminar highlights
Date: 20 January 2009
Schedule:
08h30 â 10h00: Press briefing chaired by the Deputy Speaker of the National
Assembly, Ms Madlala-Routledge with the Speaker of the National Assembly Ms GL
Mahlangu-Nkabinde, the Chairperson SADC Parliamentary Forum Prince Guduza
Dlamini, and Zackie Achmat of Treatment Action Campaign, amongst others.
10h00 â 12h00: Opening of the seminar will be addressed by the Speaker
of the National Assembly Ms GL Mahlangu-Nkabinde, the Speaker of the East
African Legislative Assembly Mr AH Abdi and Zackie Achmat, amongst others.
19h00 â 21h00: Official dinner will be addressed by the Deputy President Ms
Baleka Mbete and the IPU Handbook for parliamentarians Taking Action Against
HIV will be launched.
To confirm attendance at the opening and/or dinner, please contact:
Sukhthi Naidoo
Tel: 021 403 3980
E-mail: snaidoo@parliament.gov.za , by Monday 19
January
Issued by: Parliament
16 January 2009
Source: Parliament (http://www.parliament.gov.za)
