Imphal, January 28: North East India Harm Reduction network (NEIHRN) in partnership with Manipur Network of Positive People (MNP+), Social Awareness Service Organisation (SASO) and Kripa Society would be organising a public hearing- �addressing concerns of people living with HIV/AIDS� tomorrow at the conference hall of Manipur State AIDS Control Society, Lamphelpat.

Retd Sessions Judge C Upendra would chair the jury and guest lecturer of Manipur University Dr Dhanabir Laishram would be the other member of the jury.

The public hearing against cases of HIV/AIDS related stigma, discrimination and human rights violations in Manipur is the culmination of a series of initiatives taken by NEIHRN to mainstream issues of people living with HIV/AIDS and their concerns specially in the context of drug use.

People living with HIV/AIDS are often faced with considerable issues of stig-ma and discrimination affecting their capacity to contribute as citizens.

These human rights violations often take the form of lack of access to appropriate medical treatment, refusal for emergency care, denial of education, health care facilities, lack of options for livelihood and survival.

During the public hearing, affected people would be provided an opportunity of speaking out against the violations to ensure that these violations are addressed within a rights based framework by mainstream institution and policy makers.

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