Publishing HIV sufferers’ identities not permitted, says Greek committee
The government on Tuesday officially repealed a controversial legal provision that was issued three years ago “to curb the spread of infectious diseases” but was widely condemned for stigmatizing women with HIV, particularly prostitutes, as it allowed their details to be made public.
The decision was published in the Government Gazette after a committee of health experts deemed that the provision unfairly stigmatized members of vulnerable social groups.
The provision was introduced in April 2012 by then Health Minister Andreas Loverdos during tense pre-election campaigning and prompted vehement criticism after police rounded up hundreds of alleged prostitutes in Athens and subjected them to HIV tests.
