From conflict to partnership: growing collaboration between police and NGOs in countries with concentrated epidemics among key populations

Abstract

IntroductionBetween September 2012 and December 2015, a series of national and regional consultations, aimed at resolving a persistent dynamic of conflict between law enforcement agencies (LEAs) and civil society organizations (CSOs) working on issues of access to HIV services in high-priority countries for people who use drugs have been organized by the HIV/AIDS Section of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, the Law Enforcement and HIV Network (LEAHN) and other international organizations. The aim of these consultations has been to understand, at a national and regional level, the key points of tension between police and CSOs and how to overcome these tensions to enhance access to and uptake of services by key populations, including people who inject drugs, sex workers, men who have sex with men and transgenders. This commentary briefly describes the methods, process, content and key outcomes of these consultations held across diverse number of countries and regions, including Africa, South East Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America.DiscussionWhile the context varies, this paper highlights that there are commonalities that drive a persistent dynamic of conflict and therefore also common methods for resolution of conflict and forging partnerships. Both policing and CSOs have key sectoral responsibilities and reform agendas to implement to ensure that as an individual agency they are able to meet their obligations as partners in the HIV response. Using the key outcomes of discussions and recommendations from these consultations and drawing on existing literature, the objective of this paper is to present a preliminary model that roadmaps the critical path from resolution of conflict to partnership between LEAs and CSOs.ConclusionsThis paper seeks to highlight that critical resources are required to support ongoing development and harnessing of partnerships between LEAs and CSOs and argues that these resources should not just come from global HIV funding mechanisms but should be part of a more mainstreamed security sector reform agenda that understands the mutual benefits that programming for human rights–based policing reform would have on HIV, development and security.

“When they know that you are a sex worker, you will be the last person to be treated”: Perceptions and experiences of female sex workers in accessing HIV services in Uganda

“…However, access to services after violence is often complex due to the prevailing legal context [ 5 ]. Organised engagement of law enforcement agencies and CSOs could reduce the tensions between service providers and law enforcement and enhance partnerships to improve service delivery to high risk marginalised populations including FSWs [ 33 ].…”

Implementasi Peraturan Walikota NO.41 Tahun 2015 Tentang Pencegahan Dan Penanggulangan Hiv Aids Di Kota Singkawang Tahun 2016

“…Hal yang penting juga dalam hal ini adalah upaya melakukan pelayanan kolaboratif antara HIV AIDS, Tuberkullosis/TB dan Malaria. 14 Namun, untuk sarana dan pra sarana di lapangan, masih terdapat kekurangan, misalnya rusaknya mesin CD 4 yang belum diperbaiki karena kurangnya dana yang ada. Ketersediaan sumber daya, baik itu alat, uang maupun faktor pendukung lain adalah hal yang mempengaruhi baik buruknya implementasi dari suatu kebijakan/program di suatu organisasi.…”

Police must join the fast track to end AIDS by 2030

“…The Poro Sapot project in Papua New Guinea worked to reduce the harassment of men who have sex with men and sex workers through training and sensitization of police at multiple levels [25]. Thomson et al have reported on a series of joint workshops between police and KAPS supported by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), contributing to the evidence that contact between police and KAPs outside the usual situations of conflict can be effective in rehumanizing each to the other [26]. This aligns with the evidence about what works in stigma reduction, with four approaches necessary and effective: information-based approaches, skills building, counselling and support and contact with affected groups [27].…”