Internet legal consultations in Ivano-Frankivsk for people living with HIV

The All-Ukrainian Network for People living with HIV/AIDS is participating in the organization of four regional resource and legal centres to provide distance legal assistance for people living with HIV. The Ivano-Frankivsk representative office is based at the Solidarnist Foundation.

Over the past two months free legal aid in Ivano-Frankivsk has been given to around 50 people. Lawyer from the Foundation Marina Popovych says that it is most often relatives who contact them, wanting to know how to defend the rights of a person living with HIV.  The enquiries vary, but are generally over the Civil Code, Housing and less often Administrative Codes.

The important aspect of the centres is that people can receive help via email or normal post, and maintain anonymity if they wish.

Consultants from among the most qualified lawyers (members of the Ukrainian Bar Lawyers Union) will not only be providing answers to questions received and giving advice, but also helping in preparing the necessary documents (applications, complaints, civil suits etc), give information about court cases, prepare legal assessments etc.

 In cases where a person’s HIV status has been divulged, or they have been refused medical or social assistance, illegally dismissed, suffered from unlawful behaviour from law enforcement agencies, there will also be the chance to have lawyer accompaniment at the pre-trial and judicial examination stages.