Our Mission

At the HIV Legal Network (formerly the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network), our mission has always been the same: to create a world where the human rights and dignity of people living with and at risk of HIV are fully realized, and where governments not only protect these rights, but actively promote them. It’s not only the right thing to do, it’s also a necessary part of an effective response to the HIV epidemic, which thrives on injustice and exacerbates inequality.

Our work focuses on three main goals:

• Repealing or reforming laws and policies that violate human rights
• Enacting and implementing laws and policies that promote human rights
• Equipping people to defend and enjoy their human rights

We’re currently working on an important campaign to decriminalize simple drug possession. Racialized communities are disproportionately charged, prosecuted and incarcerated in Canada under laws that criminalize people who use drugs. We believe the public resources used to enforce this harmful and irresponsible criminal law should be used for an evidence-based, health-focused response. So we’re putting pressure on the federal government to decriminalize drug possession now.

We’re also working on other issues to protect and promote the human rights of LGBT communities, people who use drugs, people who are living with or at risk of HIV, sex workers, prisoners, and other marginalized individuals and communities. 

We can only do this important work with the help and support of donors. Please stand with us as we work to build a better, safer, healthier, and more just world. Thank you for your support.

About the HIV Legal Network

The HIV Legal Network (www.hivlegalnetwork.ca) promotes the human rights of people living with and vulnerable to HIV/AIDS, in Canada and internationally, through research, legal and policy analysis, advocacy, litigation, education, and community mobilization.