Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Associated Press - December 1, 2004
The legislation would seek to protect people who face discrimination at work or elsewhere because they have the virus, said Health Minister John Junor.
"But you can't just legislate to erase the stigma," Junor said, marking World AIDS Day. "We have to educate people."
Junor declined to discuss details of the legislation, saying it was in the preliminary stages.
He also criticized a Human Rights Watch report that said discrimination against homosexuals has undermined Jamaica's efforts to fight the disease. Junor called the report unfair, noting his ministry has helped mount several campaigns against HIV/AIDS discrimination.
In a report released two weeks ago, the New York-based rights group said gays endure pervasive hostility in almost all levels of Jamaican society - from the police to popular reggae music.
The report, which detailed several attacks on gay men, also criticized public health care for people with HIV/AIDS, saying many with the virus often receive poor or no treatment because of the stigma surrounding the disease.
The virus is still widely seen as a gay disease in Jamaica, despite data showing most infections come from heterosexual contact.
Prime Minister P.J. Patterson's government swiftly condemned the report and criticized the group for linking homophobia to the spread of HIV/AIDS.
On Tuesday, Human Rights Watch executive director Kenneth Roth again called on Jamaica to address the problem.
"It's time for the government to address the HIV/AIDS emergency partly fueled by its promotion of homophobia and hatred," he said.
About 22,000 people - or 1.5% of the population of 2.6 million - have the virus in Jamaica.
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