Dear FORUM,

On the 14th-15th October 2006 in collaboration with Voluntary Health Association
of Punjab, Human Rights Law Network’s HIV/AIDS and the Law Initiative conducted
a National Consultation in New Delhi on ARV treatment with specific regard to
the Writ petition,VHAP v. UOI. There were 20 participants representing the
positive networks, marginalized and the affected communities.

The petition was filed by HRLN on behalf of VHAP in 2003 in the Supreme Court.
Soon after this, the Government of India announced a program for free
distribution of Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs in selected states. The petition came
up for hearing in August 2006, the Supreme Court asked for clarity on the stand
of the Central Government and questioned it’s failure to meet its target of
providing free ART for 1,00,000 HIV positive people by 2005 and the basis for
the delay in meeting the target.

The objective of this consultation was to include the positive community’s
requirements in the directions sought in the petition so that we could arrive at
a collective consensus about what the Government needs to provide and the
timeframe.

The meeting successfully concluded with a commitment towards better networking
and information sharing.

Best regards

Tashi.C.Sherpa, Komal.J.Subba, Legal Officers
Sophia, Social Activist

HIV/AIDS and the Law Initiative
Human Rights Law Network
65 Masjid Road, Jungpura
Delhi 1100014
E-MAIL: hri.delhi@...
www.hrln.org
Tel: 24371054