Lobbying and Advocacy for PLHIV Human Rights in SEE Region: Serbian Experience, Lessons Learned and Recommendations for Regional Advocacy Agenda

1. Dejana Rankovic, Youth of JAZAS, Serbia
LOBBYING AND ADVOCACY
FOR IMPROVEMENT OF PLHIV
HUMAN RIGHTS IN SEE
REGION

2. Overview
• Serbian experience
• Multisectoral approach and results
achieved
• Lessons learned
• Conclusions and Recomendations
• Contribution to regional networking
and creating joint SEE advocacy
agenda

3. Serbia 2012:
• Established Union of PLHIV organizations
• Established Parliamentary Group on
HIV/AIDS
• Number of laws amended
• Recommendations of legal experts on
particular issues (Criminalization of HIV
transmission)
• Support of all stakeholders
• Increased media coverage

4. Multisectoral approach
• National Expert Group
• Empowerment of PLHIV
• Parliamentary group on HIV/AIDS

5. National Expert Group
• Gathering judiciary experts
• Scorecard of legislation related to PLHIV
• Consultation process
• Creating proposals
• Advising policy makers on legislations and services
• Cooperation with MPs
• Forums and debates on HIV/AIDS and human
rights
• Prosecuting court cases related to
stigma, discrimination and violation of basic
human rights

6. Empowerment of PLHIV
• Forming and supporting organisations
and self-help groups
• Training in organizational
management, project
development, lobby and advocacy
• Development and production of
educational material
• Establishment of the Union of PLHIV
organizations in Serbia (USOP)

7. Parliamentary group on HIV/AIDS
• Identifying MPs who are interested to join the
group and gathering the group
• Holding seminars for MPs on HIV/AIDS, human
rights and public health
• Holding regular consultations with PLHIV and
other civil society organizations, Parliamentary
Committee on Health, National Office for HIV/AIDS
and other stakeholders
• Proposing a legislation on the rights of PLHIV to
Parliament
• Influencing debate and legislation on HIV/AIDS
• Visits to other Parliamentary Groups on HIV/AIDS
and reproductive health

8. Results
Law prohibiting discrimination
Amendment submitted by Parliamentary group on HIV/AIDS
Article 250 of the Criminal law
Amendment submitted by member of Parliamentary group on
HIV/AIDS
Law prohibiting mobbing
Amendment prepared by Expert group and Parliamentary group
on HIV/AIDS
Request of the Speaker of the Serbian Parliament to the Prime Minister
Successful partnering and performing the supervising role of the
National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia
National plan of development of Health Protection
Adopted amendment to other documents within the National
Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, submitted by Parliamentary
on HIV/AIDS

9. Lessons learned
• There is space for improvement for coordinated
action in setting priorities on behalf of the entire
PLHIV community and its approach to the
development of assistance and support to PLHIV.
• There is still work ahead to develop clear and
coordinated policies and plans for future
development.
• Intensive communication with all stakeholders
and beneficiaries is crucial to ensure dialogue
• Personal contacts of stakeholders and politicians
with PLHIV ensures much better understanding of
PLHIV problems and support in the Parliament

10. Recommendations
• Create national partnership of Members of
Parliament and CSOs aiming to protect human
rights of PLHIV and affected groups
• Create partnership on the regional level with the
joint strategic programe aiming to ensure the full
realization of all human rights and fundamental
freedoms of people living with and affected by HIV.
• Establish regional CSO network that is able to
present joint strategic programmes
• Government institutions in every country in the
region recognize the importance of the issue and
value of civil society participation in the processes
of protection of human rights of PLHIV

11. THANK YOU!