Namibia Legal Environment Assessment Of HIV and AIDS Consultants AIDS and Rights Alliance for Southern Africa: International Consultant Legal Assistance Centre: National Consultant Final Report March 2016 1 | P a g e Table of Contents Abbreviations ............................................................................................................................. 5 Executive Summary ................................................................................................................... 6 Part I ......................................................................................................................................... 10 Introduction and Background .............................................................................................. 10 Aims and Objectives ............................................................................................................ 11 Aim .................................................................................................................................. 11 Specific objectives ........................................................................................................... 11 Key Deliverables .............................................................................................................. 12 Implementation Modalities .................................................................................................. 12 Technical Approach ......................................................................................................... 12 Research Methodology ........................................................................................................ 13 Desk Review .................................................................................................................... 13 Key Informant Interviews ................................................................................................ 13 Focus Group Discussions ................................................................................................. 14 Data Management ............................................................................................................ 14 Consultative Workshops, Validation and Dissemination of Study Findings ................... 14 Oversight by Technical Working Group.......................................................................... 14 The Situational Analysis Report ...................................................................................... 15 Part II ....................................................................................................................................... 15 International/Regional/National human rights framework .................................................. 15 A. International Framework ................................................................................................. 16 B. Human rights standards and the nature of State obligations .......................................... 17 C. Limitation of Rights ........................................................................................................ 19 D. The application of specific human rights in the context of the HIV and AIDS .............. 20 Right to Equality and Non-Discrimination ...................................................................... 24 Right to Privacy ............................................................................................................... 27 Right to Marry and to Found a Family and Protection of the Family.............................. 28 Right to Freedom of Movement ....................................................................................... 29 Right to Liberty and Security of Person .......................................................................... 30 Right to Education ........................................................................................................... 30 Right to the Highest Attainable Standard of Physical and Mental Health ....................... 31 Right to an Adequate Standard of Living and Social Security Services .......................... 33 Right to Work .................................................................................................................. 34 Freedom from Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment......................... 36 Part III ...................................................................................................................................... 37 A. Equality/Anti-Discrimination Law and Policy .......................................................... 37 2 | P a g e HIV-Related Stigma and Discrimination in Namibia ...................................................... 37 Foreigners/Migrants ......................................................................................................... 39 Access to Insurance/Bank loans....................................................................................... 41 B. Health laws, policies and plans ....................................................................................... 42 Constitutional Rights ....................................................................................................... 44 Public Health Legislation ................................................................................................. 45 Health and HIV Policies, Strategies and Plans ................................................................ 46 Isolation and detention of patients ................................................................................... 47 Informed Consent to HIV Testing and Treatment ........................................................... 48 Confidentiality ................................................................................................................. 52 Access to HIV Prevention, Treatment, Care and Support ............................................... 53 Regulation of Health Care Providers and Health Extension Workers ............................. 55 C. Criminal Law and Law Enforcement ........................................................................ 56 MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN ............................................................................ 56 Sex workers ...................................................................................................................... 57 People who use drugs....................................................................................................... 61 Criminalization of HIV transmission and exposure......................................................... 64 Inmates ............................................................................................................................. 67 D. HIV/AIDS in the Workplace ..................................................................................... 70 E. Education and Information ........................................................................................ 72 F. Social Welfare ............................................................................................................... 73 Social Security ................................................................................................................. 74 Pension ............................................................................................................................. 74 Maintenance ..................................................................................................................... 74 Welfare Related Grants ................................................................................................... 74 Child Maintenance Grants ............................................................................................... 74 Foster Care Grants ........................................................................................................... 75 Special Maintenance Grant .............................................................................................. 75 Place of Safety Allowance ............................................................................................... 75 Child Care and Protection Act ......................................................................................... 75 G. Gender Based Violence and HIV .............................................................................. 77 Part IV Access to Justice and Law Enforcement in Namibia .................................................. 78 Legal Aid ............................................................................................................................. 79 The court system .................................................................................................................. 80 Office of the Ombudsman .................................................................................................... 80 The Police Service ............................................................................................................... 80 General access to justice issues............................................................................................ 81 3 | P a g e Part V Recommendations ........................................................................................................ 82 A. Equality/Anti-Discrimination Law and Policy .......................................................... 82 Foreigners/Migrants ........................................................................................................