The United Nations’ Joint Program on HIV/AIDS announced yesterday nations need to stop criminalizing LGBT people. UNAIDS reports 80 nations still have laws criminalizing gay sex. The organization says this violates human rights and undermines effective HIV treatment.

UNAIDS announced in a statement nations need to focus their efforts on the rights of their people and also criticized countries like Uganda with their proposal of an “Anti-Homosexuality” bill.

“The human rights of people living with HIV, men who have sex with men, lesbians and transgender people must be fully respected,” UNAIDS said in a press release statement on its Web site. “Where they have been able to access HIV information, prevention and treatment and avoid discrimination, these populations have become a force for health and community empowerment.”

The organization did praise efforts like Delhi’s high court striking down India’s antisodomy laws. UNAIDS reports 33 million people are living with HIV with 2.7 new infections in 2008 and 2 million deaths.

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-Kim Brown