The Indonesian AIDS commission has rejected a plan by the lawmakers of Papua province which requires microchips to be implanted in HIV/ AIDS patients to monitor the spread of disease. It is expected that the bill would be passed on a majority vote and would implemented in January 2009.The implicit reason behind the bill is to track sexually active people who have HIV/AIDS who could be prosecuted if they are suspected of infecting others. According to lawmakers, the proposed bill would also give a permission to the authorities to identify and ultimately punish "sexually aggressive,” HIV-positive individuals.
Nafsiah Mboi, chairperson of the National AIDS Control Commission has said that they have rejected such a plan as it clearly violates human rights. Moreover it seems to be a plan that is impractical and impossible to be implemented. She expressed hope that local lawmakers in Papua would reconsider the implementation of the law as it was not in line with human rights. She urged the Papuan lawmakers to conduct public hearings before the bill is passed.
If Bill is cleared it would mean that anyone found guilty by a court of law of deliberately spreading the virus could be fined up to $4,000 dollars or given six months in jail.
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