Also available in: Español

Latin American community networks working in the field of HIV published a statement warning about a Panamanian bill which, far from responding to the complexity of the epidemic, goes backwards to a moralistic and religious approach

On January 17^th, Panamanian civil society organizations published a statement against Bill 518, which was initially intended to be an update of the current Law on HIV and was supposed to respond to the new dynamics of the epidemic.

An alert signed by community networks working in the field of HIV in Latin America and key correspondents was published today. There, they mention some concerns.

“The bill has a strong moralistic and religious approach, and boosts actions for the promotion of abstinence, faithfulness and the delay of the onset of sexual relations. These and other concepts included in the bill are not based on scientific evidence for preventing and raising awareness on HIV,” claims the alert. Furthermore, it indicates that UN agencies have categorically advised against these interventions, as they can have the opposite effect in the response to HIV.

The alert also observes that key populations are not mentioned at all, which is a serious aspect in a country where the epidemic is concentrated among gays and other men who have sex with other men, trans people, female sex workers, persons deprived of liberty and youth (particularly youth from the aforementioned key populations).

The regional statement claims that it is obvious that the recommendations and concerns from civil society were not properly included in the final versions. It also indicates that there is clear suspicion of the fact that the promotion of HIV tests included in the bill responds to private economic interests and that it was endorsed by its possible beneficiaries during discussions of the bill.

The document also calls upon all bodies and authorities to intervene in this issue, and demands the immediate withdrawal of the bill, which should be replaced by a bill which brings together the voices of civil society organizations.

Click here to read the full version of the alert.

Contact MPs:

If your organization would like to express its concerns to the National Assembly’s Labor, Health and Social Development Commission, contact details are the following:

JOSÉ LUIS CASTILLO GÓMEZ – CHAIRMAN (Panameñista) Jlcastillo@asamblea.gob.pa

MARIO AUGUSTO LAZARUS NAVALO – VICE CHAIRMAN (CD) Mlazarus@asamblea.gob.pa

JORGE IVAN ARROCHA ROSARIO – SECRETARY (Panameñista) Jarrocha@asamblea.gob.pa

Members:

GABRIEL SOTO MARTINEZ (Panameñista) Gsoto@asamblea.gob.pa

SALVADOR REAL CHEN (CD) Sreal@asamblea.gob.pa

CARLOS AGUSTIN AFU DECEREGA (CD) Cafu@asamblea.gob.pa

ROSA CANTO (PRD) Rcanto@asamblea.gob.pa

ZULAY LEYSET RODRIGUEZ LU (PRD) Zrodriguez@asamblea.gob.pa

CRISPIANO ADAMES NAVARRO (PRD) Cadames@asamblea.gob.pa

All articles can be shared and published provided that the source is cited.