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The US Supreme Court will resolve
the question of whether overseas groups that receive US funding for HIV/AIDS
prevention work must adopt policies explicitly prohibiting prostitution and sex
trafficking. The case, US Agency for International Development v. Alliance for
Open Society International, is on the Supreme Court’s current docket.
The funding in question comes from
the 2003 US Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act, which
established billions in funding for worldwide prevention efforts. According to
US Solicitor General Donald B Berrilli, Jr., the act requires that grantees
address behavioral risks of HIV/AIDS as part of their work.
Overseas groups receiving these
funds are counting on the protection of the First Amendment to help them win
the case. Organizations like Pathfinder International and InterAction say the
adoption of policies that oppose sex trafficking and prostitution would
restrict their efforts to reach the most at-risk groups in places like Africa
and Asia. The groups also say that the policies would also prevent them from
speaking freely during activities paid for by private funding.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
