A basic right for people living with HIV

Entry restrictions generally affect people who want to stay in a country
for a long period of time. Depending on the duration of the stay, a
negative HIV test result must be presented to authorities for approval
of the stay. HIV-positive test results generally lead to refusal of
entry or to being forced to leave if one is already in the country. Such
regulations limit PLHIV in the selection of educational opportunities
and places of work. This discrimination cannot be accepted, particularly
in view of the change in status of HIV from a fatal to a treatable
chronic disease, since PLHIV – just like any other citizens today – need
to plan their education and pursue a profession. 

PLHIV are at constant risk of losing what they have built up: their job,
their financial basis, access to health care, their home, their friends
and family, and even their life. In this regard, some countries in Asia
and the Middle East set particularly poor examples. We have anecdotal
reports of people dying in deportation confinement, denied access to
treatment while waiting to return to their homeland. This usually
affects migrants who have been confined for deportation when their HIV
status is discovered. The excuse of ‘legal problems’ between the
authorities is often given. Authorities can even make it harder for
their own citizens to return home if it becomes known that they are
infected with HIV or have AIDS.