Punitive Laws Hindering the HIV Response in Asia and the Pacific

Recent progress towards zero discrimination in Asia and the Pacific: Punitive approaches to sex work, drug use and sexual relations between men; criminalization of HIV transmission; and enforcement of restrictions on entry, stay and residence against people living with HIV hinder access to HIV prevention and treatment services, and can contribute to the increase of HIV-related stigma and discrimination. Over the past years, over 10 countries in Asia and the Pacific have removed or revised a number of such punitive laws or policies. These actions are helping to enable more people to access HIV services.