Sichuan to lift marriage ban for people with Aids
Sichuan province is to lift a ban that prohibited people with Aids from getting married - a move concern groups say will have a far-reaching impact in protecting the human rights of Aids patients.
Sichuan Provincial People's Congress is amending local regulations to allow Aids patients to marry, the Chengdu-based Tianfu Zaobao Daily reported.
The amendment means the termination of an eight-year ban, which has limited the rights of Aids patients.
Since 1995, Sichuan, like all other provinces on the mainland, has stopped people with Aids or other sexually transmitted diseases from getting married. Citing the conclusion of a working committee under the law-making body, the paper said: 'Aids patients and HIV-positive [people] are entitled to all legitimate citizens'rights and social benefits.'
The report did not say when the Provincial People's Congress would endorse the amendments.
The amendment was welcomed by Aids concerns groups on the mainland.
Hu Jia, acting director of the Institute of Health Education in Beijing, said the amendment meant some congress members had recognised the importance of respecting the dignity of Aids patients. Mr Hu's institute is a private group dedicated to promoting Aids awareness in society.
'Currently, legislation in our country [relating to the protection of Aids patients] is not enough,' said Mr Hu. 'Caring and respect are significant in the fight against Aids, and this is now being taken into consideration by some of the members of the congress.'
Zhou Shengjian, a Chongqing-based Aids expert, said the Sichuan amendment was an important step for the mainland in helping to curb the disease.
