Legal action is a powerful tool t

Legal action is a powerful tool to advocate for more effective human rights protection by courts. It is about facilitating access to justice for
all, and in particular for people with low income and people who may be socially or culturally excluded in your community. It is also about
promoting equal justice, meaning law enforcement based on the protection of human rights for all.
Legal action in the context of HIV/AIDS includes different kinds of help depending on the legal problems experienced by people living with
HIV/AIDS and vulnerable groups in your community. This includes, a wide range of possible actions such as:
Σ•Information and advice to people whose rights are threatened, on laws protecting human rights in the context of HIV/AIDS,
Σ•The services of a professional lawyer to defend a case in a justice court (= legal representation),
Σ•Preparation of a “test case” to obtain a ruling by a national justice court, or a regional human rights court (cf. Chapter 3 of this brochure) on a key
issue concerning human rights in the context of HIV/AIDS
Σ•Advocacy to change laws in your country that fall short of human rights standards, and to implement the International Guidelines on HIV/AIDS
and Human Rights.