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Indonesia province postpones decision to implant HIV/AIDS patients with microchips

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] The legislature in the Papua province of Indonesia announced Tuesday that it will postpone a decision on whether to implant certain individuals infected with HIV/AIDS with microchips to monitor their movements. A vote scheduled for next week will be put off in response to human rights concerns. The bill would have attempted to monitor the activities of individuals who are infected with HIV/AIDS whom the government has deemed "sexually aggressive" or more likely to spread the virus. Local officials acknowledged that the policy is extreme but are concerned with the rapid spread of HIV throughout the Papua region, which has the highest number of HIV/AIDS patients in Indonesia. AIDS activists have sharply criticized the policy, which they see as demeaning to people who are living with HIV/AIDS. The legislature is expected to rule on less controversial HIV/AIDS control measures in the coming week. The legislation was introduced last month. Other countries have also been examining or changing strict policies concerning HIV/AIDS. Indian officials are investigating the legality of a ban that prohibits individuals who are HIV positive from serving in the military. China has recently relaxed a ban against entering the country for any person who is HIV-positive.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on December 17, 2008 (boomark / email).