HIV Travel Restrictions Pose Barriers to Addressing Global Issue

“Travel restrictions that have been imposed on me by some countries because of my HIV status have put a label on me as someone not acceptable to some countries or other people and as such, have made me a prisoner in my country of South Africa,” said Rev. Christo Greyling in an interview at the Ecumenical Pre-Conference on AIDS, “Faith in Action Now!”
Six decades after the Declaration of Human Rights was adopted, over 70 countries still hold HIV-specific travel restriction and 12 countries among them have a total ban on HIV positive persons entering their countries for any reason or length of time. Language in the $48 billion AIDS relief package signed into law by President George W. Bush this week indicates that the United States may be positioned to soon lift, or at least re-evaluate, its travel restrictions against people living with HIV and AIDS. Until this process winds its way through governmental departments, the same U.S. restrictions apply today as when the ban was instituted over 20 years ago.
Rev Greyling, who is the chairperson of the African Network of Religious Leaders Living With or Personally Affected by HIV and AIDS (ANERELA) and also the advisor to World Vision International on HIV and AIDS, has been prevented from entering the U.S., Singapore, Hong Kong, the Philippines and other countries.
Despite the fact that he is on medication and his viral load is undetectable, Rev. Greyling is being prevented from doing his work: namely, fighting HIV-related stigma and raising awareness in order to stop the spread of HIV. Whenever possible, he avoids disclosing his HIV status, but says this is in conflict with his Christian beliefs toward being honest. He also finds it ironic that many countries that impose travel bans are staunch advocates for human rights. “This is an absolute disgrace that discrepancy can be allowed where countries that stand for justice and for human rights are not practicing it,” he said.
While legislation restricting travel for HIV positive persons is challenging to individuals—for instance, it separates families, prevents involvement in policymaking discussions, and, because of the fear of having one’s status disclosed, causes some to travel without prescribed medications—it also poses significant barriers for communities, regions, and countries impacted by HIV and AIDS.
According to John F. Galbraith, president and CEO of CMMB (Catholic Medical Mission Board), travel restrictions stand in the way of successfully addressing HIV prevention and treatment on a global scale. “There are countries who could benefit greatly from the work of faith-based organizations in addressing the spread of HIV. But in order for an NGO to provide services in travel restricting countries, it means that every doctor and nurse, every clinician and technician, every volunteer would have to be HIV-negative.”
Galbraith said that not only is this not practical, it defies conventional wisdom and best practices in stemming the spread of HIV. “There is tremendous value in empowering persons living with HIV to provide education and services to people who are at-risk or who are also living with HIV. To deny a dedicated, interested person the opportunity to serve others diminishes the dignity and value of the individual,” he said.
The United Nation’s Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, in a recent UN General Assembly session, urged a “change in laws that uphold stigma and discrimination, including restriction on travel for people living with HIV.” Still, people living with HIV and AIDS are banned from participating in, and even attending, the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. The Chinese government lifted a similar ban on visitors with leprosy but remain adamant that the ban remain in effect on people living with HIV and AIDS.
Despite the challenges, Rev. Greyling remains encouraged by countries that have or are considering dropping their travel restrictions. He acknowledges there is yet much to be done and insists that “the Church and other faith based organizations have a big role in providing prophetic voice against discrimination and working to end these unfair restrictions.”