Thematic Segment – “People on the Move – Forced displacement and migrant populations”

Panel 1 – Universal Access and HIV-related Restrictions on Entry, Stay and Residence

HIV-related restrictions were most put in place in 1980s. Such restrictions are out of line with today’s reality because:
• HIV is everywhere.
• World had become smaller.
• Travel and migration are important.
• HIV treatment had already enhanced and made PLHIV live longer with great productivity and good health condition.
• Universal Access committed by the government means Universal Access for both nationals and non-nationals.

Restrictions require political will and leadership to eliminate. Armenia and Tajikistan had removed the restrictions in part, which means post it under different department other than immigration. Namibia, China, Ukraine and USA will lift the ban, while Czech Republic surprisingly had moved backward and add more PLHIV from some certain countries into their restriction list.

Panel 2 – Universal Access, Mobility & Labour

The focus need to be put on employment-related mobility and economic migrants. Inclusion of internal migration in the discussion is essential because the issue is quite significant in some countries such as Viet Nam, Indonesia and India. Internal migration does not have any tracking system as the international migration through immigration ports.

Panel 3 – Universal Access and Humanitarian Situation & Forced Displacement

Issues faced in the context are still affected by armed conflicts and natural disasters which made the social and community networks fall apart as well as break down in institutional presence and support. Increasing rates of sexual violence due to displacement are leading to a much higher likelihood of contracting HIV. The need to include displaced populations in the national strategies and provision of access to health are severely compromised.

Panel 4 – Universal Access and Economic Drivers & Push Factors for Mobility

Economic migration is often caused by globalisation, based on new needs, new ideas and new values in migration. People migrate in search o better living or keeping themselves away from unsafe situation such as abuses, conflicts, disasters, etc. Some people migrate because it is the tradition in their family or society, some other migrate seeking for new adventure.

Overall, it was concluded that protection of rights and promotion of health services for migrants and mobile populations are in utmost necessity.