Pacific Islands Aids Foundation

• DECLARATION OF THE POSITIVE PEOPLE OF THE PACIFIC 2008
• DECLARATION OF THE POSITIVE PEOPLE OF THE PACIFIC 2005

We, the HIV positive people of the Pacific, and delegates to the Pan Pacific Gathering of HIV+ People, call on all governments of the Pacific to pass laws that recognize and protect the Human Rights of PLHIV (People Living with HIV).

We call on all governments to remove all barriers to, and ensure full implementation of these laws, including:

• the protection of PLHIV against all forms of discrimination
• free movement without restriction for work, education and recreational travel to all countries
• decriminalizing of sex work
• decriminalizing of sex between men

We further call on our governments to:

• Ensure affordable access to antiretroviral and associated testing, including second line regimens, all medications to treat opportunistic infections and co-infections, and comprehensive integrated care and support, in accordance with UNGASS (United Nations General Assembly Special Session) and Universal Access principles.
• While recognising the diversity of the region, eliminate inequities that exist between and within countries in the quality of life of PLHIV, and embracing among other needs income generation, access to services and the basic needs of nutrition and housing.
• Recognise and respect the particular needs and experiences of youth and women living with HIV, and other marginalized people such as men who have sex with men, sex workers, and drug users.
• Adopt VCCT (Voluntary Confidential Counseling and Testing) as the best approach to testing without the need to implement PICT (Provider Initiated Counseling and Testing). Testing should only occur when appropriate care and support services are available,
• Ensure the meaningful implementation of GIPA (Greater Involvement of people living with HIV and AIDS) principles at all levels of the response to HIV, and fund and support the establishment and development of sustainable positive networks as the key vehicles for coordinating a positive response.

The Human Rights framework within which these actions are conducted should be delivered in a culturally appropriate way as determined by empowered communities.

Declaration of the Positive People of the Pacific
at the Positive Pacific Forum
PAN Pacific Conference, Auckland, NZ   October 25th 2005

Priorities in Key Areas for Positive People in the Pacific
As seen by Positive Pacific People

Declaration presented by Jane Bruning at the opening of the Pan Pacific Conference in Auckland on October 26th, 2005

Key Areas:

• Stigma & Discrimination
• HIV in the Workplace
• Treatments
• Advocacy
  
  

Stigma & Discrimination

• Awareness by Governments of the negative implications of Stigma and Discrimination
• Eradication of Stigma and Discrimination in the health care sector by training and education, involving Positive People
• Support in fighting Stigma and Discrimination from NGO’s and other community leaders
• Funding of PLWHA groups to address self stigma, and to empower Positive People to participate in the HIV response
  
  

HIV in the Workplace

• Access to treatment to enable Positive People to participate in the workforce
• Enactment and Implementation of laws and policies protecting Positive People in the workplace
• Education of the workforce on HIV involving HIV Positive People
  
  

Treatments

• Affordable access to treatments for everyone who needs it, in rural and urban settings, of Anti Retrovirals and for Opportunistic Infections
• Training in HIV treatment of all health care sector providers such as general practitioners, mid wives, and community carers
• An approach to health care based on Partnership with Positive People
• Treatment Preparedness led by Positive People
  
  

Advocacy

• That HIV Positive People are recognised and acknowledged as equal members of every community
• That Positive People have real and meaningful involvement in all areas of:
  • Decision making
  • Policy Making
  • Strategy
  • Implementation
  • Project Development
  • Education
    As outlined by the 1994 GIPA Paris Declaration and adopted at UNGASS
• Effective legal protection through legislation and application to protect our human rights and defend us against stigma and discrimination
• Accountability of HIV money

This Advocacy to be directed to:

• Governments
• Community & religious leaders
• National and International Aid agencies and HIV AIDS organisations
• The global Positive community

A Call was issued for

• Funded regular Positive Pacific meetings to advance this agenda
• Positive People to be supported to come forward to assist in the response to fight HIV in the Pacific