Monrovia – The National AIDS Commission has established a legal office aimed at managing cases of rights violations directed at people living with HIV and key populations.
Addressing the team of reporters at the opening ceremony on Thursday at NAC Head Office, the chairperson of AIDS Commission Theodosia Kolee noted that stigma and discrimination remain a stumbling block in reaching the global targets to end AIDS by 2030.
Madam Kolee thanked the Community Empowerment Program (CEP) through the Department of Defense (DOD) HIV Program, with funding from USAID-Liberia/PEPFAR interagency for the materials in opening of the office.
She furthered that in fulfillment of their quest to reduce stigma and discrimination against persons living with HIV and their preparedness to run the legal Office, the NAC has validated the NSPII, the Zero Discrimination Action Plan for Liberia, and held the first-ever National stigma, advocacy and discrimination conference this year.
Madam Kolee said the opening of the legal office is a milestone achievement that shows their readiness to end stigma and discrimination against persons living with AIDS.
“I must applaud all of you. Partners, ladies and gentlemen, the legal office is in line with target 6 and goal 2 of the HIV National Strategic Plan II which highlights the need for persons living with HIV and key populations to have access to justice and can challenge their rights violations directly,” she said.
“As a country, we are under obligation to ensure that 90% of persons living with HIV have access to justice, zero denial of health services based on perceived or real positive HIV status and incidence of sexual and gender-based violence are reduced.
With the opening of this legal office, we can work with you our partners to engage policymakers and state actors to ensure protection for PLHIV key population groups in Liberia,” She stated
She said the office will establish and maintain a national registry on cases of HIV and AIDS-related stigma and discrimination and other rights violation, provide a legal pathway for persons living with HIV and key populations who have been denied access to services to seek redress
elevate HIV-related stigma and discrimination issues affecting key and vulnerable groups at the national level; and Coordinate and monitor the implementation of the zero discrimination action plan with key recommendations from the Legal Environment Assessment.
NAC chairperson however, called on all to combine efforts and holistically respond by ensuring that no one is left behind and persons living with HIV, key and vulnerable groups should be a focus in addressing the impact of HIV on them.
Giving the overview of the legal office, Atty. Boniface Tweh, legal counsel of National AIDS Commission said the office is being established to document and report rights violations including stigma and discrimination against persons living with HIV, key population and other vulnerable groups.
Atty. Tweh noted that HIV and AIDS related stigma and discrimination remain major barriers to people living with HIV (PLHIV) and key and vulnerable populations in accessing HIV services.
According to Atty Tweh, the legal office will work closely with focal person who shall be stationed at LibNep+, LIPRIDE, LIWEN, and White Rose Alliance to document and report HIV related stigma and discrimination cases, advocate for a holistic and rights-based system of service delivery in health and for the full enjoyment of the rights to health by PLHIV and key populations.
The office will further ensure, establish and maintain national registry on cases of HIV and AIDS related stigma and discrimination and other rights violations; serves as a legal redress by providing free legal services, and elevates HIV related stigma and discrimination issues affecting key vulnerable people at the national level.
The legal office will also coordinate and monitor the implementation of the zero-discrimination action plan and key recommendations from the legal environment Assessment.
They, however, will network with other institutions such as Independent National Human Rights Commission (INCHR), the Liberia National Bar Association, and also operate a hotline with number 9595 to receive and disseminate information relative to rights violations.