Republic of Moldova lifts travel restrictions for people living with HIV, strengthens protections against discrimination

GENEVA, 22 June 2012—The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) applauds the legislative reforms by the Republic of Moldova to lift its restrictions on entry, stay or residence based on HIV status. With these reforms, the Republic of Moldova joins a growing list of countries that are aligning national HIV legislation with international public health and human rights standards.

"This decision by the Republic of Moldova is a concrete win in our global efforts to secure freedom of movement for people living with HIV," said UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé. "Restrictions that limit movement based on HIV-positive status alone are discriminatory and violate human rights," he added.

In addition to removing the country's travel restrictions, the recent legislative reforms in the Republic of Moldova strengthen prohibitions on HIV-related discrimination in the workplace and remove mandatory HIV testing for non-nationals and for couples before marriage.

After the removal of the Republic of Moldova's restrictions, UNAIDS counts 46 countries, territories, and areas that continue to impose some form of restriction on the entry, stay and residence of people living with HIV based on their HIV status. At least 130 countries have no such restrictions.

Source: UNAIDS