Human Rights Watch criticizes Ukraine

Human Rights Watch criticizes Ukraine

Human Rights Watch on Thursday criticized Ukraine for its failure to end police abuse and medical discrimination against HIV/AIDS victims and others at high risk of infection.

The New York City-based rights group said the abuse was undermining efforts in Ukraine to combat what has become the worst HIV/AIDS epidemic in Europe.

"The HIV/AIDS policies that Ukraine has put in place are generally good ones," Rebecca Schleifer, a researcher with Human Rights Watch's HIV/AIDS program, said in a statement. "But until the government addresses the chronic abuses of people at highest risk of HIV/AIDS, it will have little hope of stemming its HIV epidemic,” reports the AP.

I.L.