THE NETHERLANDS: Dutch Law Forces Rapists to Undergo HIV Test

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2009. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

THE NETHERLANDS: Dutch Law Forces Rapists to Undergo HIV Test

Agence France Presse (11.10.09) - Thursday, November 12, 2009

The Dutch parliament on Tuesday gave final approval to a law under which prosecutors can compel suspected rapists to undergo blood testing. "This can then be used to determine whether the suspect is a carrier of [HIV] or of other serious infectious diseases like hepatitis B or C, which can be transferred to a victim in the execution of a crime," said a statement from the justice ministry. "In this legislation, the interests of the victim reign supreme. For the victim, a blood test must be done soon after the crime so that preventive drugs can be administered quickly." Presently, it is the victim's responsibility to seek a court order to compel such testing. The new law takes effect July 1, 2010.
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