Advocacy workshop for the lawyers in Chennai

[Guest guest]

Advocacy workshop for the lawyers in HIV/AIDS crisis

In an effort to involve more and more people to support and help people infected

and affected by the epidemic, AIDS Desk has initiated a program for the lawyer

community. The aim is to sensitize the lawyer community on the intensity of the

disease and help the people affected by the epidemic. The workshop was

organized on 8.03.03 at Hotel Breeze, Chennai. Thirty lawyers from Tamil Nadu

and Andhra Pradesh participated in the program, including a representative from

Tamil Nadu State Aids Control Society (legal consultant). Mr. Vivek Dewan,

Project Co-ordinator, Lawyers Collective Forum, Mumbai was invited as a resource

person for the day.

The workshop began with welcome address by Dr. Sheila Shyamprasad, Co-ordinator,

AIDS Desk. The next session was led by Mr.Irudayaswamy who briefed the

participants about the facts and figures of HIV/AIDS, the Global/ National

scenario and the challenges that need to be met by the lawyers.

Mr. Vivek Dewan spoke on consent, confidentiality, testing and rights of PLWAs.

He also shared various legal problems dealt in the past by the forum and the

challenges ahead. At the end of the meeting Mr. C.B. Singh facilitated the

group to draw a future action plan. The participants made the following

suggestions:

1. To form an association of lawyers in Tamilnadu to work for the people

infected and affected. All participants agreed to be the members of the

association. The name of the group could be “Lawyers forum for HIV/AIDS ”. The

forum will help PLWHAS on their legal matters and shall represent them for their

rights whenever it is needed.

2. The AIDS Desk will offer all support to carry out the activities of the

forum from its office at No. 94, Purasawalkam High Road, s, Chennai – 600

010. The office will provide free logistic to the lawyers to function the forum

effectively.

3. All NGOs, Networks and PLWHAs shall be informed of the services available at

the Forum.

4. To reach out to more and more people District Level forum shall be formed

with the help of the association of District Bar Association and interested

lawyers. The AIDS Desk will arrange Dist. Level meetings in the coming months.

Dr.Rathna Thara, legal Consultant, TNSACS shared the activities of the

organistion. Ms.Padmaja from PWN+ spoke on how PWN+ networks are working for

women. And TNP+ Mr.Stanley briefed about the activities of TNP+.

Most of the participants were not aware of HIV/AIDS situation and the problems

associated with the disease and were shocked to hear the sufferings of the

PLWHAS. They thanked the AIDS Desk for making them aware of the crisis and

involving them for this cause. The meeting concluded with vote of thanks by

Mr.Irudayasamy, counselor AIDS Desk.

AIDS Desk, CReNIEO, No.94 P.H.Road, s. Chennai-600 010, Ph;+91-44-26432454/

Fax:+91-44-2643114. E-mail: guruclin@...