Government is working on a new HIV/AIDS policy that Minister of Social Care Steve Blackett says will be “genuinely multisectoral, developmental and human rights based”.
While not giving details, he told patrons at the World AIDS Day Concert in Independence Square, Bridgetown yesterday that it would fit “snugly” with his ministry’s thrust to address the challenge The Barbados National HIV Policy – A Framework For Action. He added that the policy framework was a signature statement which defined the Government as people-centred and caring.
Blackett said the theme for this year’s activities – Eliminate Hate, Don’t Discriminate – was timely and instructive, as freedom from discrimination was a fundamental human right which must be protected with “all the vigour we can muster”.
He reminded the gathering that International Human Rights laws guaranteed the right of equal protection before the law and freedom from discrimination on several grounds. (YB)
