AFAO policy update
AFAO continues to develop policy related to Australia’s migration law.
Our discussion paper, Migration Law and HIV: The case for reform of Australian migration law and policy to ensure that the human rights of people living with HIV are respected and protected, (PDF – 147.3 KB) outlines Australia’s migration policies as they affect people living with HIV, and makes recommendations for policy reform.
AFAO considers that the most pressing issue is the need to reform Australia’s migration policies affecting HIV-positive refugees. AFAO’s policy position regarding the need for reform of these policies is set out in our Position Statement, Call for reform of Australian migration policies affecting refugees living with HIV (PDF – 184.8 KB)
People with HIV who are considering migrating to Australia will also find our recently updated Immigration Factsheet helpful.
Migration inquiry – call for reform
Australia’s Joint Standing Committee on Migration is inquiring into the Migration Treatment of Disability. Numerous submissions have been made to the Inquiry (available at http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/mig/disability/subs.htm) and public hearings have been held around the country.
AFAO’s submission to the Inquiry proposed to the Inquiry that the Health Requirement be withdrawn. In AFAO’s view, the Health Requirement policies operate to entrench the stigmatisation of people living with HIV, and are contrary to the Australia’s rhetoric regarding international human rights obligations.
If no other reforms emerge from this Inquiry, at the very least refugees should be exempt from any Health Requirement, with HIV testing of off-shore refugees only taking place after a person has been granted Australian residence and has arrived in Australia.
Discussion open
This blog has been set up to facilitate discussion of issues surrounding HIV and immigration in Australia, following AFAO’s workshop on HIV and the immigration health requirement on 24 September.
Here you will find a range of documents relating to HIV, disability, the immigration health requirement and the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disability.
It’s also intended as a space to add your thoughts and share information.
