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Source: RedTraSex

The Network of Sex Workers of Latin America and the Caribbean repudiates the approval of Law No. 40, which establishes the legal framework for the comprehensive approach to sexually transmitted infections and the human immunodeficiency virus.

Together with Panamanian civil society, we reject the law approved on August 14, due to its discriminatory nature and the incongruity in the submission of its articles. First, the regulations violate the principles of confidentiality, authorizing medical and legal personnel to perform the HIV test without signing a consent and according to professional criteria (Art. 7 and Art. 8). This gesture violates the protection of personal data, a fundamental human right.

Second, because the aforementioned enables discriminatory actions in all areas, including labor and migration. In this context, it is important to remember that more than 5 months ago a migrant sex worker woman has been under arrest for living with HIV.

Last, but not least, the law suggests the involvement of civil society in the debate on public policies and, however, only one organization has been consulted, turning deaf ears to the demands for the participation of the rest of the key players who work in the response to HIV and know the needs around the epidemic.

We support the Panamanian civil society in its demands before the National Assembly of Deputies and we will encourage the complaint before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. Because, as referents of the key populations around HIV/AIDS and after more than 20 years working on the response to the epidemic in the region, we demand that the pertinent authorities review this regulation, so that its approval is translated into the protection of the most vulnerable people and not in a tool that violates their rights, discriminates and stigmatizes.

Regional Secretariat RedTraSex Latin America and the Caribbean