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 are confronted with unique legal problems of enormous proportions and complexity;
2. Those best equipped to make choices regarding HIV issues and problems are those individuals who are HIV positive themselves;
3. People living with HIV must have control over their own lives;
4. The HIV 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;
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
6. The confidentiality, bodily security, autonomy and privacy of people living with HIV must be respected, which include but are 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 to be fully informed of all processes and procedures in which their interests are in any way involved; and
   d) the right of all persons living with HIV to consent, or withhold their consent, in all matters affecting them.