Mission, Vision & Principles

Statement of Principles of the HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario

(Adopted January 30, 2006, by the Board of Directors of the HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario.)

It is agreed that:

1. People living with HIV and AIDS are confronted with unique legal problems of enormous proportions and complexity;
2. Those best equipped to make choices regarding HIV and AIDS issues and problems, are those individuals who are HIV positive themselves;
3. People living with HIV and AIDS must have control over their own lives.
4. The HIV and AIDS affected communities are very diverse and are confronted by overwhelming challenges derived from both their diversity and from their common experience as people living with HIV and AIDS.
5. It is necessary to create and foster a climate of understanding and mutual respect for the dignity and worth of people living with HIV and AIDS; and
6. The confidentiality, bodily security, autonomy and privacy of people living with AIDS and HIV must be respected, which includes but is not limited to:
   a) the right of individuals to exercise control over their own medical treatment;
   b) the right of individuals to exercise control over decisions concerning their own socio-economic position;
   c) the right of all persons living with HIV or AIDS to be fully informed of all process and procedures in which their interests are in any way involved; and
   d) the right of all persons living with HIV or AIDS to consent, or withhold their consent, in all matters affecting them.