HIV positive foreign people and the law.
Foreign people suffering from a disease in France, live more often than not, in extremely unstable conditions which makes them weaker and does not guarantee them access to prevention and care. However, as long as access to antiretroviral therapy is not available to all in developing countries, coming to France is, in most cases, the last chance for people who are trying to cope with this illness.
The 1945 ruling regarding foreigners’ residence in France guarantees the right to stay in France for seriously ill foreigners if they do not have access to treatment in their country and if their health is at stake.
In 2005, AIDES published the results of a survey* which was carried out in all the areas where our organisation has premises. It shows that the law is adhered to in a very unfair way. Our observations are irrevocable: people were asked to provide papers which were not mandatory; some people had their requests for permits refused or personnel declined to issue them with a receipt; some people were asked to pay for inexistent fees; some even had to wait up to two years before obtaining their residence permit.
Such obstacles can and do have considerable consequences on the living conditions of HIV positive people.
*A survey on access to care, accommodation and residences permits for HIV positive foreigners - August 2005
How can the law be adhered to in such an unfair way in France?
In AIDES, groups are established which enable foreign people, volunteers and employees to get together with other organisations in order to coordinate a collective mobilisation.
Finally, in the regional offices, whenever necessary, AIDES takes steps with the concerned people in order to have their rights respected.
Pictures : Daniel Hérard
