23/8/2007 - 07:51(EST)

Companies sign agreement on discrimination against HIV/AIDS

They agree to respect work rights of those affected before notary public. The Secretary of Health pledges his commitment to promoting condom use. We hope that this is not just a politically correct speech: NGO.

Representatives from 30 member companies of the National Business Council (CONAES) agreed yesterday before a notary public to fight stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS.

According to the organizers, CONAES agreements signed to date benefit the 154 thousand people that the transnational companies employ nationwide. CONAES was created in 2004 by a group of companies operating in Mexico to promote actions focused on eradicating stigma and discrimination associated with the epidemic from these companies.

The Secretary of Health, José Ángel Córdova Villalobos, who agreed to continue promoting condom use and strengthening health education to generate responsible activities on sexual and reproductive rights, was present at the event.

On referring to the importance of promoting actions that help eradicate stigma and discrimination in the workplace, the government representative emphasized the need to promote HIV detection tests and provide adequate counselling for those affected by the virus.

Considering the directives of the member companies of CONAES, of which only one is from the Mexican capital, Córdova Villalobos reminded us that weak health systems resulting from a lack of resources, the varying cost of antiretroviral drugs among rich and poor countries and discrimination and stigma represent obstacles that make the fight against the epidemic even harder.

In turn, Jorge Saavedra, director of the National Center for the Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS (CENSIDA), referred to the change experienced by the companies over recent years with regard to the epidemic. He defined them as “leaders and an example” in terms of recommendable work policies and social business responsibility.

Interviewed at the end of the event on the fact that authorities from the Register of Births, Deaths and Marriages of Chihuahua refuse to allow HIV-positive people to initiate marriage procedures, the director of CENSIDA said that the ban established by article 144 of the Civil Code of that entity “is completely illogical”.

He assured us that through the Chihuahua Health Services, CENSIDA will be sending representatives of the Register of Births, Deaths and Marriages technical and internationally supported recommendations to demonstrate that the marriage ban for those living with the virus is a violation of their human rights and the Official Mexican Standard on the epidemic.

Regarding the bill presented by the Partido Revolucionario Institucional in Colima, which aims to punish anyone intentionally transmitting HIV, Saavedra López mentioned that they have already contacted State authorities to inform them that persecuting those affected by the epidemic to resolve the issue has not worked anywhere in the world.

He said that through the State Department of Health, CENSIDA will be sending information to those congressmen promoting the bill asking them to “think about the matter”. He reminded us that up until December 31 last year, 110 thousand 339 cases had been counted in Mexico since the beginning of the epidemic in 1983.

He emphasized the importance of preparing a joint project with Central America focused on preventing the epidemic among migrants trying to reach the United States and having to pass through Mexico through campaigns and interventions. “This is urgent because while the prevalence of HIV in our country is 0.3 percent, in Guatemala it is three times this figure and in Belize it is six times higher”.

In turn, Carlos García de León, representative of the civil HIV/AIDS organizations dedicated to providing CONAES with technical assistance services, including courses on human rights and sexuality, told this agency that signing the agreement is an example that both small and medium-sized Mexican companies must adhere to as they violate the rights of HIV-positive people most.

With regard to Córdova Villalobos’ speech, the activist said it is necessary for it to be made reality through public policies. “We do not want to think that it is just a politically correct speech in view of the fast-approaching International AIDS Conference to be held in our country”.

Terra