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Microchip ditched in HIV/AIDS bylaw
Activists have welcomed the Papua Legislative Council's decision to drop three controversial articles in a bylaw criticized for discriminating against people with HIV/AIDS
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Activists have welcomed the Papua Legislative Council's decision to drop three controversial articles in a bylaw criticized for discriminating against people with HIV/AIDS.
The articles covered implanting microchips in people with HIV/AIDS deemed to be "sexually aggressive", issuing HIV/AIDS-free cards and the so-called Next Generation Project.
"It is heartening to know that the three articles have finally been dropped from the bylaw," HIV/AIDS activist from the Jayapura Support Group, Robert Sihombing, said Friday.
"However, I wonder why the legislative and executive branches were so quick to approve the provincial draft bylaw without publicizing the amendments."
Robert said the public had become stuck on the controversial articles and was not aware of the full content of the draft bylaw.
"I am afraid that the bylaw will only disrupt efforts to manage HIV/AIDS in Papua," he said.
"We have 60 days to submit proposed amendments."
The draft bylaw was passed Thursday after six factions at the council gave their consent, while calling for the bylaw to give attention to and protect people living with HIV/AIDS.
The decision was made after the provincial administration, led by provincial secretary Tedjo Suprapto, and councilors, led by council deputy speaker Komarudin Watubun, had a two-day meeting to discuss the issues.
"The agreement was reached following deliberate discussions and negotiations to reach common ground," said Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) faction head Albert Yogi.
Instead, an HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Disease division will be set up at the Papua Health Agency to become the province's HIV/AIDS prevention and information center.
"Allocation of funds and activities for HIV/AIDS prevention in Papua will be more transparent and intensive," Yogi said.
"Information on HIV/AIDS and efforts to prevent it will be more open and involve all elements of society.
"So far, prevention has only involved certain groups. We want every member of the public to participate."
Councilor John Manangsang, who came up with the idea of the microchip, said that the concept was aimed at accelerating prevention efforts because current methods to curb the spread of the disease were slow and ineffective.
Manangsang, himself a physician, reiterated that the microchip was not intended for every person with HIV/AIDS but only those who were sexually active.
He said that the bylaw covered the role of families in preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS.
"The bylaw completely really regulates HIV/AIDS prevention, especially by focusing on protecting people who have not been infected," Manangsang said.
Manangsang also proposed the Next Generation Project, under which a clinic would be established to create a pure, superior Papuan race through natural or in vitro fertilization.
The concept was opposed by human rights activists and religious leaders.
Meanwhile, activists opposed the notion of HIV/AIDS-free cards, as it would have made taking an HIV test mandatory, whereas they believe it should be voluntary.
