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South African human rights activists on Thursday said while they welcomed in principle possible legislation for the compulsory HIV testing of alleged rapists, the move was an "inadequate reaction" to the problem of HIV transmission within the context of sexual violence.
"The legislation is being considered in isolation of other attempts to create a comprehensive package of support services to victims of sexual assault," gender coordinator at The Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, Lisa Vetten, told the UN news service Plusnews.
During public hearings on Wednesday into the controversial new draft legislation, legal aid lawyers told the justice portfolio committee that alleged rapists should be forced to disclose their HIV status, Vetten said.
However, Vetten noted that the legislation should not be implemented without proper treatment and counselling for victims once they receive notification of the offenders' HIV status.
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions