CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML+RDFa 1.0//EN" "http://www.w3.org/MarkUp/DTD/xhtml-rdfa-1.dtd"> <html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" version="XHTML+RDFa 1.0" dir="ltr" prefix="content: http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/ dc: http://purl.org/dc/terms/ foaf: http://xmlns.com/foaf/0.1/ og: http://ogp.me/ns# rdfs: http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema# sioc: http://rdfs.org/sioc/ns# sioct: http://rdfs.org/sioc/types# skos: http://www.w3.org/2004/02/skos/core# xsd: http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#"> <head profile="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml/vocab"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"> <meta property="fb:app_id" content="182300775636101" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.unaids.org/en/topic/decriminalization" /> <meta property="og:title" content="Save lives: decriminalize" />  <script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-KKR6R7');</script>  <script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "name": "UNAIDS", "url": "https://www.unaids.org/en", "logo": "https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/unaids_eng.png", "contactPoint": [ { "@type": "ContactPoint", "telephone": "+41-22-791-36-66", "contactType": "customer service" } ], "sameAs": [ "https://twitter.com/unaids", "https://www.facebook.com/UNAIDS", "https://www.instagram.com/unaidsglobal/", "https://www.youtube.com/user/UNAIDS", "https://plus.google.com/+unaids" ]} </script> <script> (function(doc) { var viewport = document.getElementById('viewport'); if ( navigator.userAgent.match(/iPhone/i) || navigator.userAgent.match(/iPod/i)) { doc.getElementById("viewport").setAttribute("content", "width=device-width,maximum-scale=1.0,minimum-scale=1.0"); } else if ( navigator.userAgent.match(/iPad/i) ) { doc.getElementById("viewport").setAttribute("content", "width=device-width,maximum-scale=0.95"); } }(document)); </script>  <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//hello.myfonts.com" /> <link rel="preconnect" href="//hello.myfonts.com" /> <meta charset="utf-8" /> <link href="/en/topic/decriminalization" rel="alternate" hreflang="en" /> <link href="/fr/topic/decriminalization" rel="alternate" hreflang="fr" /> <link href="/ru/topic/decriminalization" rel="alternate" hreflang="ru" /> <link href="/es/topic/decriminalization" rel="alternate" hreflang="es" /> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://www.unaids.org/sites/all/themes/unaidsV2/favicon.ico" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" /> <meta name="description" content="Decriminalization is a critical element to end AIDS by 2030. Punitive laws have been shown to block HIV service access and increase HIV risk. Harmful laws include the criminalization of same-sex sexual relations, transgender people, HIV exposure, non-disclosure and transmission, drug possession and use, and sex work." /> <meta name="generator" content="Drupal 7 (http://drupal.org)" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.unaids.org/en/topic/decriminalization" /> <link rel="shortlink" href="https://www.unaids.org/en/topic/decriminalization" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="x-default" href="https://www.unaids.org/en/topic/decriminalization" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="fr" href="https://www.unaids.org/fr/topic/decriminalization" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="ru" href="https://www.unaids.org/ru/topic/decriminalization" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="es" href="https://www.unaids.org/es/topic/decriminalization" /> <title>Save lives: decriminalize | UNAIDS</title> <script>for(var fonts=document.cookie.split("advaggf"),i=0;i<fonts.length;i++){var font=fonts[i].split("="),pos=font[0].indexOf("ont_");-1!==pos&&(window.document.documentElement.className+=" "+font[0].substr(4).replace(/[^a-zA-Z0-9\-]/g,""))}if(void 0!==Storage){fonts=JSON.parse(localStorage.getItem("advagg_fonts"));var current_time=(new Date).getTime();for(var key in fonts)fonts[key]>=current_time&&(window.document.documentElement.className+=" "+key.replace(/[^a-zA-Z0-9\-]/g,""))}</script> <link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="/sites/default/files/advagg_css/css__UWh8uftBMiMumKf-FGsJTso8BcD99OiwMWHxHrxTvqg__Vhh5UvbJnAELaD-DBZDMzxYDKzC4CjpB9RwpVb84V_E__LkpEVG5kAWGBw3VzTNBTKIJVM0oio5HbgOgA3lShDUs.css" media="all" /> <link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="/sites/default/files/advagg_css/css__ghZ7dFAaETCBnm1pTn0QFxgTLzwPBWlbCXkzR9M-XDM__hH4eUDIySNdZlbveuYy5qi_0dJopa9tqv769TsIZz7g__LkpEVG5kAWGBw3VzTNBTKIJVM0oio5HbgOgA3lShDUs.css" media="all" /> <link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Volkhov" rel="stylesheet"> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/sites/all/themes/unaidsV2/css/ie.css"></link> <script src="/sites/default/files/advagg_js/js__OWzCL9N3vHvL40UpSKR8OE7817naP7nqmA23HGkiX4M__NeHCeyi3yEqCesoCxfqWnsgW1R9Yl7zLGbWxRNCZoCE__LkpEVG5kAWGBw3VzTNBTKIJVM0oio5HbgOgA3lShDUs.js"></script> <script src="/sites/default/files/advagg_js/js__HxTbhN-HTG8H6pU8ZNTXLhmTeg8fhzG_sbeVLz0gBqU__AdhAFZ5QAk_VrKkFUOCnxJb9ANrhuWlKf15A7QHm14M__LkpEVG5kAWGBw3VzTNBTKIJVM0oio5HbgOgA3lShDUs.js" defer="defer" async="async"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//platform-api.sharethis.com/js/sharethis.js#property=5968b481b69de60011989e3d&product=inline-share-buttons"></script>  <link href="https://customer.cludo.com/css/470/2092/cludo-search.min.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet">  </head> <body class="html not-front not-logged-in no-sidebars page-node page-node- page-node-56833 node-type-v2-landing-page i18n-en section-topic page-panels" >  <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-KKR6R7" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>  <div id="skip-link"> <a href="#main-content" class="element-invisible element-focusable">Skip to main content</a> </div> <div class='search-box'> <div class='inner'> <div class='closing pointer'><i class="fa fa-times" aria-hidden="true"></i></div>    <div id="cludo-search-form"> <label for="search-box">Search</label> <input name="searchrequest" type="search" id="search-box" value="" title="Search" autocomplete="off" placeholder="Enter keyword"> </div>    <div id="suggestions" class="clearfix"> <div class="view view-search-suggestions view-id-search_suggestions view-display-id-block view-dom-id-65c4e16f293ef60e2420a3e7dcc7e666"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="views-row views-row-1 views-row-odd views-row-first views-row-last"> <div class="views-field views-field-field-reccomended-reads"> <span class="views-label views-label-field-reccomended-reads">Recommended reads: </span> <div class="field-content"><div class="item-list"><ul><li class="first"> <div id="node-58661" class="node node-media-asset view-mode-token clearfix" about="/en/resources/documents/2024/global-aids-update-2024" typeof="sioc:Item foaf:Document"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-name-field-asset-thumbnail field-type-image field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even"><a href="/en/resources/documents/2024/global-aids-update-2024"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/styles/140x200/public/media_asset/2024-unaids-global-aids-update_en.pdf.png?itok=Aptm1VWR" width="140" height="200" alt="" /></a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li> <div id="node-58894" class="node node-media-asset view-mode-token clearfix" about="/en/resources/documents/2024/take-the-rights-path-to-end-aids" typeof="sioc:Item foaf:Document"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-name-field-asset-thumbnail field-type-image field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even"><a href="/en/resources/documents/2024/take-the-rights-path-to-end-aids"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/styles/140x200/public/media_asset/take-the-rights-path-to-end-aids_en.pdf_0.png?itok=98Xd-L18" width="140" height="200" alt="" /></a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li> <div id="node-58931" class="node node-media-asset view-mode-token clearfix" about="/en/resources/documents/2024/2024_unaids_data" typeof="sioc:Item foaf:Document"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-name-field-asset-thumbnail field-type-image field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even"><a href="/en/resources/documents/2024/2024_unaids_data"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/styles/140x200/public/media_asset/data-book-2024_en.pdf.png?itok=_FG5XyUG" width="140" height="200" alt="" /></a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li> <div id="node-46164" class="node node-media-asset view-mode-token clearfix" about="/en/resources/documents/2024/UNAIDS_FactSheet" typeof="sioc:Item foaf:Document"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-name-field-asset-thumbnail field-type-image field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even"><a href="/en/resources/documents/2024/UNAIDS_FactSheet"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/styles/140x200/public/media_asset/UNAIDS_FactSheet_en.pdf.png?itok=LcgLqHYy" width="140" height="200" alt="" /></a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="last"> <div id="node-55292" class="node node-media-asset view-mode-token clearfix" about="/en/resources/documents/2021/2021-2026-global-AIDS-strategy" typeof="sioc:Item foaf:Document"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-name-field-asset-thumbnail field-type-image field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even"><a href="/en/resources/documents/2021/2021-2026-global-AIDS-strategy"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/styles/140x200/public/media_asset/global-AIDS-strategy-2021-2026_en.pdf_0.png?itok=tUuo34hA" width="140" height="200" alt="" /></a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul></div></div> </div> <div class="views-field views-field-field-section-links"> <span class="views-label views-label-field-section-links">You might also be interested in one of the following sections: </span> <div class="field-content"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="page"> <div id='content-overlay'></div> <header class="header" id="header" role="banner"> <div class="top-mobile-menu"> <div class='inner row-wr '> <div class='left'> <div id="logo"> <a href="/en" title="Home" rel="home" class="header__logo"><img src="/sites/all/themes/unaidsV2/images/logo-unaids_sdg_small.png" alt="Home" class="header__logo-image" /></a> </div> <div id="burger-menu" class="mobile-hide"> <div id="menu-btn-wr"> <div class="menu-btn"> <span class="item-bur close-left"></span> <span class="item-bur close-hide"></span> <span class="item-bur close-right"></span> </div> <div class="menu-text"> <span class="menu-t"> Menu </span> <span class="close-t"> Close </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class='right'> <ul id='search-button'><li><a href='site-search' rel='nofollow'>Search</a></li></ul><ul class="language-switcher-locale-url"><li class="en first active"><a href="/en/topic/decriminalization" class="language-link active" xml:lang="en" hreflang="en" title="Save lives: decriminalize">English</a></li> <li class="fr"><a href="/fr/topic/decriminalization" class="language-link" xml:lang="fr" hreflang="fr" title="La décriminalisation sauve des vies">Français</a></li> <li class="ru"><a href="/ru/topic/decriminalization" class="language-link" xml:lang="ru" hreflang="ru" title="Декриминализация ради спасения жизней">Русский</a></li> <li class="es last"><a href="/es/topic/decriminalization" class="language-link" xml:lang="es" hreflang="es" title="Salvar vidas: despenalizar">Español</a></li> </ul> <div id='main-menu'><ul class="menu"><li class="menu__item is-expanded first expanded"><a href="/en/whoweare/about" class="menu__link">Who we are</a><ul class="menu"><li class="menu__item is-leaf first leaf"><a href="/en/whoweare/about" class="menu__link">About UNAIDS</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/Global-AIDS-Strategy-2021-2026" class="menu__link">Global AIDS Strategy 2021-2026</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/goals/unitednationsdeclarationsandgoals" class="menu__link">United Nations declarations and goals</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/whoweare/governance" class="menu__link">UNAIDS governance</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/whoweare/pcb" class="menu__link">UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="https://open.unaids.org" class="menu__link">Results and transparency portal</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/aboutunaids/unaidscosponsors" class="menu__link">UNAIDS Cosponsors</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/aboutunaids/unaidsambassadors" class="menu__link">UNAIDS ambassadors and global advocates</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/aboutunaids/unaidsleadership" class="menu__link">UNAIDS leadership</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/whoweare/evaluation" class="menu__link">UNAIDS evaluation office</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/whoweare/ethics" class="menu__link">UNAIDS ethics office</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf last leaf"><a href="/en/UNplus" class="menu__link">UN Plus</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu__item is-expanded expanded"><a href="/en/whatwedo" class="menu__link">Focus areas</a><ul class="menu"><li class="menu__item is-leaf first leaf"><a href="/en/2026-2031-global-aids-strategy" class="menu__link">Global AIDS Strategy 2026-2031</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="https://sustainability.unaids.org/" class="menu__link">Sustainability of the HIV response</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/topic/Community-pandemic-response" class="menu__link">Community pandemic response</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/topics/education-plus" class="menu__link">Education Plus Initiative</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/topic/alliance-children" class="menu__link">Global alliance to end AIDS in children</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/topic/cutting-edge-tech-all" class="menu__link">Equal access to cutting edge HIV technologies</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/topic/decriminalization" class="menu__link active">Save lives: Decriminalize</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="https://www.inequalitycouncil.org/" class="menu__link">Global council on inequality, AIDS and pandemics</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/topic/resources" class="menu__link">Resources and financing</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="https://hivpreventioncoalition.unaids.org/" class="menu__link">Global HIV Prevention Coalition</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf last leaf"><a href="/en/topic/global-partnership-discrimination" class="menu__link">Global Partnership to Eliminate Stigma and Discrimination</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu__item is-expanded expanded"><a href="/en/whatwedo" class="menu__link">Programme areas</a><ul class="menu"><li class="menu__item is-leaf first leaf"><a href="/en/topics/2025_target_setting" class="menu__link">2025 AIDS targets</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/AIDS_SDGs" class="menu__link">AIDS and SDGs</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/topic/community" class="menu__link">Community mobilization</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/topic/data" class="menu__link">Data</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/cities" class="menu__link">Fast-Track cities</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/topic/gender" class="menu__link">Gender</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/topic/prevention" class="menu__link">HIV prevention</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/topic/treatment" class="menu__link">HIV treatment</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/topic/rights" class="menu__link">Human rights</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/topic/key-populations" class="menu__link">Key populations</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/topic/privatesector" class="menu__link">Private sector and the AIDS response</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/topic/security" class="menu__link">Security and humanitarian affairs</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/topic/social-protection" class="menu__link">Social protection</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/topic/tuberculosis" class="menu__link">TB/HIV</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/topic/UHC" class="menu__link">Universal health coverage</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf last leaf"><a href="/en/topic/young-people" class="menu__link">Young people</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu__item is-expanded expanded"><a href="/en/regionscountries" class="menu__link">Where we work</a><ul class="menu"><li class="menu__item is-leaf first leaf"><a href="/en/regionscountries/regions" class="menu__link">Regions</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf last leaf"><a href="/en/regionscountries/countries" class="menu__link">Countries</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu__item is-expanded expanded"><a href="/en/resources" class="menu__link">Resources</a><ul class="menu"><li class="menu__item is-leaf first leaf"><a href="/en/resources/presscentre" class="menu__link">Press centre</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/resources/featurestories_archive" class="menu__link">News</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/resources/publications/all/" class="menu__link">Publications</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/resources/fact-sheet" class="menu__link">Fact sheet</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/resources/campaigns" class="menu__link">Campaigns</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/resources/speeches" class="menu__link">Speeches</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/resources/infographics" class="menu__link">Infographics</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/frequently-asked-questions-about-hiv-and-aids" class="menu__link">FAQ on HIV and AIDS </a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/World_AIDS_Day" class="menu__link">World AIDS Day</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/zero-discrimination-day" class="menu__link">Zero Discrimination Day</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="https://aidsinfo.unaids.org/" class="menu__link">Latest data on HIV</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="http://kpatlas.unaids.org/dashboard" class="menu__link">Data on key populations</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="http://lawsandpolicies.unaids.org/" class="menu__link">Laws and policies</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="http://hivfinancial.unaids.org/hivfinancialdashboards.html" class="menu__link">HIV financial resources</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/podcasts" class="menu__link">Podcast</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/videos_archive" class="menu__link">Videos</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf last leaf"><a href="https://tsm.unaids.org/" class="menu__link">Technical Support Mechanism</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu__item is-expanded expanded"><a href="/en/takeaction" class="menu__link">Take action</a><ul class="menu"><li class="menu__item is-leaf first leaf"><a href="/en/frequently-asked-questions-about-hiv-and-aids" class="menu__link">Learn about HIV and AIDS</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/takeaction" class="menu__link">Take action</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/donate" class="menu__link">Become a donor</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="https://investment-book.unaids.org/" class="menu__link">Investment Book</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/contact" class="menu__link">Contact us</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf last leaf"><a href="/en/vacanciesandtenders" class="menu__link">Work for us</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf last leaf"><a href="/en/donate" class="menu__link">Donate</a></li> </ul></div> </div> </div> <div id="bottom-modal-menu" class="mobile-hide row-wr clearfix"> <ul class="bot-m-menu"> <li class="search-it"><ul id='search-button'><li><a href='site-search' rel='nofollow'>Search</a></li></ul></li> <li class="lang-it"><span class="b-m-m-item">Languages</span></li> <li class="donate-it"><a class="b-m-m-item donate" href="/en/donate">Donate</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div id='main-menu-mobile' class="mobile-hide row-wr clearfix"><ul class="menu"><li class="menu__item is-expanded first expanded"><a href="/en/whoweare/about" class="menu__link">Who we are</a><ul class="menu"><li class="menu__item is-leaf first leaf"><a href="/en/whoweare/about" class="menu__link">About UNAIDS</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/Global-AIDS-Strategy-2021-2026" class="menu__link">Global AIDS Strategy 2021-2026</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/goals/unitednationsdeclarationsandgoals" class="menu__link">United Nations declarations and goals</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/whoweare/governance" class="menu__link">UNAIDS governance</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/whoweare/pcb" class="menu__link">UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="https://open.unaids.org" class="menu__link">Results and transparency portal</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/aboutunaids/unaidscosponsors" class="menu__link">UNAIDS Cosponsors</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/aboutunaids/unaidsambassadors" class="menu__link">UNAIDS ambassadors and global advocates</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/aboutunaids/unaidsleadership" class="menu__link">UNAIDS leadership</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/whoweare/evaluation" class="menu__link">UNAIDS evaluation office</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/whoweare/ethics" class="menu__link">UNAIDS ethics office</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf last leaf"><a href="/en/UNplus" class="menu__link">UN Plus</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu__item is-expanded expanded"><a href="/en/whatwedo" class="menu__link">Focus areas</a><ul class="menu"><li class="menu__item is-leaf first leaf"><a href="/en/2026-2031-global-aids-strategy" class="menu__link">Global AIDS Strategy 2026-2031</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="https://sustainability.unaids.org/" class="menu__link">Sustainability of the HIV response</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/topic/Community-pandemic-response" class="menu__link">Community pandemic response</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/topics/education-plus" class="menu__link">Education Plus Initiative</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/topic/alliance-children" class="menu__link">Global alliance to end AIDS in children</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/topic/cutting-edge-tech-all" class="menu__link">Equal access to cutting edge HIV technologies</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/topic/decriminalization" class="menu__link active">Save lives: Decriminalize</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="https://www.inequalitycouncil.org/" class="menu__link">Global council on inequality, AIDS and pandemics</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/topic/resources" class="menu__link">Resources and financing</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="https://hivpreventioncoalition.unaids.org/" class="menu__link">Global HIV Prevention Coalition</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf last leaf"><a href="/en/topic/global-partnership-discrimination" class="menu__link">Global Partnership to Eliminate Stigma and Discrimination</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu__item is-expanded expanded"><a href="/en/whatwedo" class="menu__link">Programme areas</a><ul class="menu"><li class="menu__item is-leaf first leaf"><a href="/en/topics/2025_target_setting" class="menu__link">2025 AIDS targets</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/AIDS_SDGs" class="menu__link">AIDS and SDGs</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/topic/community" class="menu__link">Community mobilization</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/topic/data" class="menu__link">Data</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/cities" class="menu__link">Fast-Track cities</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/topic/gender" class="menu__link">Gender</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/topic/prevention" class="menu__link">HIV prevention</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/topic/treatment" class="menu__link">HIV treatment</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/topic/rights" class="menu__link">Human rights</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/topic/key-populations" class="menu__link">Key populations</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/topic/privatesector" class="menu__link">Private sector and the AIDS response</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/topic/security" class="menu__link">Security and humanitarian affairs</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/topic/social-protection" class="menu__link">Social protection</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/topic/tuberculosis" class="menu__link">TB/HIV</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/topic/UHC" class="menu__link">Universal health coverage</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf last leaf"><a href="/en/topic/young-people" class="menu__link">Young people</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu__item is-expanded expanded"><a href="/en/regionscountries" class="menu__link">Where we work</a><ul class="menu"><li class="menu__item is-leaf first leaf"><a href="/en/regionscountries/regions" class="menu__link">Regions</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf last leaf"><a href="/en/regionscountries/countries" class="menu__link">Countries</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu__item is-expanded expanded"><a href="/en/resources" class="menu__link">Resources</a><ul class="menu"><li class="menu__item is-leaf first leaf"><a href="/en/resources/presscentre" class="menu__link">Press centre</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/resources/featurestories_archive" class="menu__link">News</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/resources/publications/all/" class="menu__link">Publications</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/resources/fact-sheet" class="menu__link">Fact sheet</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/resources/campaigns" class="menu__link">Campaigns</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/resources/speeches" class="menu__link">Speeches</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/resources/infographics" class="menu__link">Infographics</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/frequently-asked-questions-about-hiv-and-aids" class="menu__link">FAQ on HIV and AIDS </a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/World_AIDS_Day" class="menu__link">World AIDS Day</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/zero-discrimination-day" class="menu__link">Zero Discrimination Day</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="https://aidsinfo.unaids.org/" class="menu__link">Latest data on HIV</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="http://kpatlas.unaids.org/dashboard" class="menu__link">Data on key populations</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="http://lawsandpolicies.unaids.org/" class="menu__link">Laws and policies</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="http://hivfinancial.unaids.org/hivfinancialdashboards.html" class="menu__link">HIV financial resources</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/podcasts" class="menu__link">Podcast</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/videos_archive" class="menu__link">Videos</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf last leaf"><a href="https://tsm.unaids.org/" class="menu__link">Technical Support Mechanism</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu__item is-expanded expanded"><a href="/en/takeaction" class="menu__link">Take action</a><ul class="menu"><li class="menu__item is-leaf first leaf"><a href="/en/frequently-asked-questions-about-hiv-and-aids" class="menu__link">Learn about HIV and AIDS</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/takeaction" class="menu__link">Take action</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/donate" class="menu__link">Become a donor</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="https://investment-book.unaids.org/" class="menu__link">Investment Book</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf leaf"><a href="/en/contact" class="menu__link">Contact us</a></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf last leaf"><a href="/en/vacanciesandtenders" class="menu__link">Work for us</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu__item is-leaf last leaf"><a href="/en/donate" class="menu__link">Donate</a></li> </ul></div> <div id="languages-modal-menu" class="mobile-hide row-wr clearfix"> <ul class="language-switcher-locale-url"><li class="en first active"><a href="/en/topic/decriminalization" class="language-link active" xml:lang="en" hreflang="en" title="Save lives: decriminalize">English</a></li> <li class="fr"><a href="/fr/topic/decriminalization" class="language-link" xml:lang="fr" hreflang="fr" title="La décriminalisation sauve des vies">Français</a></li> <li class="ru"><a href="/ru/topic/decriminalization" class="language-link" xml:lang="ru" hreflang="ru" title="Декриминализация ради спасения жизней">Русский</a></li> <li class="es last"><a href="/es/topic/decriminalization" class="language-link" xml:lang="es" hreflang="es" title="Salvar vidas: despenalizar">Español</a></li> </ul> </div> </header> <div id="content" role="main"> <a id="main-content"></a> <div id="node-56833" class="node node-v2-landing-page type-topic view-mode-full clearfix" about="/en/topic/decriminalization" typeof="sioc:Item foaf:Document"> <span property="dc:title" content="Save lives: decriminalize" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-name-field-components field-type-multifield field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even"> <div class="field field-name-field-component field-type-entityreference field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even"><div id="node-56830" class="node node-carousel display-fullscreen view-mode-full clearfix" about="/en/decrim-top-image" typeof="sioc:Item foaf:Document"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-name-field-item field-type-multifield field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even"><div class='first-set'> <div class="field field-name-field-media field-type-file field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even"><div id="file-125253" class="file file-image file-image-jpeg"> <div class="content"> <img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/media/Decrim_top_1.jpg" width="1441" height="350" alt="" /> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class='second-set'> <div class="field field-name-field-brief field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even">Topic</div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-field-title field-type-text field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even">Save lives: decriminalize </div> </div> </div> </div></div> </div> </div> <div class="sharethis-inline-share-buttons"></div> </div> </div></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field-item field-item-1 odd"> <div class="field field-name-field-component field-type-entityreference field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even"><div id="node-56836" class="node node-v2-c-simple-text view-mode-full clearfix"> <div class="content inner-content-1 "> <div class="content-node-descr"> <div class="field field-name-field-description field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even"><p>Punitive laws have been shown to block HIV service access and increase HIV risk. Harmful laws include the criminalization of same-sex sexual relations, transgender people, HIV exposure, non-disclosure and transmission, drug possession and use, and sex work.</p> <p>Countries that criminalize key populations saw less progress towards HIV testing and treatment targets over the last five years—with significantly lower percentages of people living with HIV knowing their HIV status and achieving viral suppression than in countries that avoided criminalization. Even greater gains were achieved in countries where laws have advanced human rights protections, particularly those that protected rights to non-discrimination and responded to gender-based violence.</p> <p>Decriminalization is a critical element to end AIDS by 2030. However, despite the compelling evidence, many discriminatory and punitive laws remain. Communities are advocating for change, and are helping to build a growing movement for decriminalization. </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="row clearfix to-open-rest-content"> <span class='r-more'>Read more</span> <i class="fa fa-angle-down" aria-hidden="true"></i> </div> </div> </div></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field-item field-item-2 even"> <div class="field field-name-field-component-title field-type-text field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-field-component field-type-entityreference field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even"><div id="node-57731" class="node node-carousel display-fullscreen view-mode-full clearfix" about="/en/zdd-23_decrim-banner" typeof="sioc:Item foaf:Document"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-name-field-item field-type-multifield field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even"><div class='first-set'> <div class="field field-name-field-media field-type-file field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even"><div id="file-127274" class="file file-image file-image-jpeg"> <div class="content"> <img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/media/decrim_1441.jpg" width="1440" height="321" alt="" /> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class='second-set'> <div class="field field-name-field-brief field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even">website</div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-field-extended field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even"><p>Discover which countries have laws criminalizing key populations</p> <p> </p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-field-carousel-link field-type-link-field field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even"><a href="https://decriminalise.unaids.org/">Visit</a></div> </div> </div> </div></div> </div> </div> <div class="sharethis-inline-share-buttons"></div> </div> </div></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field-item field-item-3 odd"> <div class="field field-name-field-component-title field-type-text field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even">Stories</div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-field-component field-type-entityreference field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even"><div id="node-56831" class="editorial node node-horizontal-feed three-with-images view-mode-full clearfix"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-name-field-keywords field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even"><div class='view view-categories-feed view-display-id-default'><div class='view-content'><div class="views-row"><div class="views-field views-field-nid"><span class="field-content"><span class='img'><span class='cell'><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/20240719decrim960.jpg?itok=34iA3Tdy" alt="" /></span></span><span class='cat'>19 July 2024</span><h2 class='title '><a href="/en/resources/presscentre/pressreleaseandstatementarchive/2024/july/20240719_decriminalization-lgbtq-people-saves-lives">Decriminalization of LGBTQ+ people saves lives</a></h2><div class='read-more'><a href="/en/resources/presscentre/pressreleaseandstatementarchive/2024/july/20240719_decriminalization-lgbtq-people-saves-lives">Read more</a></div></span></div></div><div class="views-row"><div class="views-field views-field-nid"><span class="field-content"><span class='img'><span class='cell'><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2024idahobit_960x618px.png?itok=TtAKXAmH" alt="" /></span></span><span class='cat'>15 May 2024</span><h2 class='title '><a href="/en/resources/presscentre/pressreleaseandstatementarchive/2024/may/20240515_IDAHOBIT">UNAIDS calls for the protection of human rights on the International Day to End Homophobia,...</a></h2><div class='read-more'><a href="/en/resources/presscentre/pressreleaseandstatementarchive/2024/may/20240515_IDAHOBIT">Read more</a></div></span></div></div><div class="views-row"><div class="views-field views-field-nid"><span class="field-content"><span class='img'><span class='cell'><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/unaids_logo_en_1_0_0_0_0_0_0_0_0_0_1_0_0_0.jpg?itok=sP17GWbG" alt="" /></span></span><span class='cat'>30 April 2024</span><h2 class='title '><a href="/en/resources/presscentre/pressreleaseandstatementarchive/2024/april/20240430_iraq">UNAIDS expresses deep concern over the passing of new anti-LGBT legislation in Iraq</a></h2><div class='read-more'><a href="/en/resources/presscentre/pressreleaseandstatementarchive/2024/april/20240430_iraq">Read more</a></div></span></div></div></div></div></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-field-view-all-link field-type-link-field field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even"><a href="https://www.unaids.org/en/decrim-stories-archive">VIEW ALL</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field-item field-item-4 even"> <div class="field field-name-field-component-title field-type-text field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even">UNAIDS Publications</div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-field-component field-type-entityreference field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even"><div id="node-56832" class="editorial node node-horizontal-feed four-with-images view-mode-full clearfix"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-name-field-keywords field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even"><div class='view view-v2-keywords-feed view-display-id-default'><div class='view-content'><div class="views-row"><div class="views-field views-field-nid"><span class="field-content"><span class='img'><span class='cell'><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/media_asset/2024-unaids-global-aids-update_en.pdf.png?itok=1B2C5_Lr" alt="" /></span></span><h2 class='title '><a href="/en/resources/documents/2024/global-aids-update-2024">2024 global AIDS report — The Urgency of Now: AIDS at a Crossroads</a></h2><div class='read-more'><a href="/en/resources/documents/2024/global-aids-update-2024">Read</a></div></span></div></div><div class="views-row"><div class="views-field views-field-nid"><span class="field-content"><span class='img'><span class='cell'><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/media_asset/hiv-related-human-rights-crisis_en.pdf.png?itok=asDy3y4C" alt="" /></span></span><h2 class='title '><a href="/en/resources/documents/2024/hiv-related-human-rights-crisis">Preventing and responding to an HIV-related human rights crisis —...</a></h2><div class='read-more'><a href="/en/resources/documents/2024/hiv-related-human-rights-crisis">Read</a></div></span></div></div><div class="views-row"><div class="views-field views-field-nid"><span class="field-content"><span class='img'><span class='cell'><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/media_asset/2023WADreport_en.pdf.png?itok=Rqg958pK" alt="" /></span></span><h2 class='title '><a href="/en/resources/documents/2023/world-aids-day-report-let-communities-lead">Let Communities Lead — UNAIDS World AIDS Day report 2023</a></h2><div class='read-more'><a href="/en/resources/documents/2023/world-aids-day-report-let-communities-lead">Read</a></div></span></div></div><div class="views-row"><div class="views-field views-field-nid"><span class="field-content"><span class='img'><span class='cell'><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/media_asset/2023WADreport-summary_en.pdf.png?itok=fAWIaupm" alt="" /></span></span><h2 class='title '><a href="/en/resources/documents/2023/world-aids-day-summary-let-communities-lead">Summary — Let Communities Lead — UNAIDS World AIDS Day report 2023</a></h2><div class='read-more'><a href="/en/resources/documents/2023/world-aids-day-summary-let-communities-lead">Read</a></div></span></div></div></div></div></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-field-view-all-link field-type-link-field field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even"><a href="https://www.unaids.org/en/decrim-pubs-archive">VIEW ALL</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field-item field-item-5 odd"> <div class="field field-name-field-component-title field-type-text field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even">Timeline</div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-field-component field-type-entityreference field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even"><div id="node-57322" class="node node-carousel display-fullscreen view-mode-full clearfix" about="/en/decrim-carousel-timeline" typeof="sioc:Item foaf:Document"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-name-field-item field-type-multifield field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even"><div class='first-set'> <div class="field field-name-field-media field-type-file field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even"><div id="file-126331" class="file file-image file-image-png"> <div class="content"> <img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/media/decrim-timeline_1441.png" width="1440" height="321" alt="" /> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class='second-set'> <div class="field field-name-field-title field-type-text field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even">Decriminalization timeline</div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-field-extended field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even"><p>Timeline showing countries that have removed laws criminalizing same-sex relations.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-field-carousel-link field-type-link-field field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even"><a href="https://decrim-ssr.unaids.org/">Read more</a></div> </div> </div> </div></div> </div> </div> <div class="sharethis-inline-share-buttons"></div> </div> </div></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field-item field-item-6 even"> <div class="field field-name-field-component-title field-type-text field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even">Related resources</div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-field-component field-type-entityreference field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even"><div id="node-56843" class="node node-v2-c-links view-mode-full clearfix"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-name-field-links-array field-type-link-field field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even"><a href="https://hivlawcommission.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Executive-Summary-GCHL-EN.pdf">Global Commission on HIV and the Law - HIV and the Law: Risks, Rights & Health Executive Summary</a></div> <div class="field-item field-item-1 odd"><a href="https://www.hivjustice.net/global-hiv-criminalisation-database/">The Global HIV Criminalisation Database</a></div> <div class="field-item field-item-2 even"><a href="https://lawsandpolicies.unaids.org">The National Commitments and Policy Instrument </a></div> <div class="field-item field-item-3 odd"><a href="https://www.humanrights-drugpolicy.org/">International Guidelines on Human Rights and Drug Policy </a></div> <div class="field-item field-item-4 even"><a href="https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241511124">WHO - Consolidated guidelines on HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care for key populations</a></div> <div class="field-item field-item-5 odd"><a href="https://www.undp.org/publications/undp-guidance-prosecutors-hiv-related-criminal-cases">UNDP Guidance for Prosecutors on HIV Related Criminal Cases</a></div> <div class="field-item field-item-6 even"><a href="https://www.hivglobalpartnership.org/">The Global Partnership for Action to Eliminate All Forms of HIV Related Discrimination</a></div> <div class="field-item field-item-7 odd"><a href="https://lawsandpolicies.unaids.org/">Laws and Policies Analytics</a></div> <div class="field-item field-item-8 even"><a href="https://travelrestrictions.unaids.org/">HIV-related travel restrictions (interactive map)</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field-item field-item-7 odd"> <div class="field field-name-field-component-title field-type-text field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even">VIDEOS</div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-field-component field-type-entityreference field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even"><div id="node-56882" class="node node-carousel display-standard view-mode-full clearfix" about="/en/decrim-videos" typeof="sioc:Item foaf:Document"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-name-field-item field-type-multifield field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even"><div class='first-set'> <div class="field field-name-field-media field-type-file field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even"><div id="file-125306" class="file file-video file-video-youtube"> <div class="content"> <div class="media-youtube-video media-youtube-1"> <iframe class="media-youtube-player" width="640" height="390" title="Save Lives: Decriminalize" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IudUw5MbNDs?wmode=opaque&controls=&rel=0" name="Save Lives: Decriminalize" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>Video of Save Lives: Decriminalize</iframe> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class='second-set'></div></div> <div class="field-item field-item-1 odd"><div class='first-set'> <div class="field field-name-field-media field-type-file field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item field-item-0 even"><div id="file-125307" class="file file-video file-video-youtube"> <div class="content"> <div class="media-youtube-video media-youtube-2"> <iframe class="media-youtube-player" width="640" height="390" title="Save Lives: Decriminalize - Involve community-led organizations" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/F1oNTelnylA?wmode=opaque&controls=&rel=0" name="Save Lives: Decriminalize - Involve community-led organizations" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>Video of Save Lives: Decriminalize - Involve community-led organizations</iframe> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class='second-set'></div></div> </div> </div> <div class="sharethis-inline-share-buttons"></div> </div> </div></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="mobile-sidebar-1" class="mobile-sidebar"> </div> <nav class="breadcrumb"><a href="/en">Home</a> <span class="separator"></span> <a href="/en/whatwedo">Focus areas</a> <span class="separator"></span> <span class='current-page'>Save lives: decriminalize</span></nav> <div class='divider'></div> <footer class="footer" id="footer" role="banner"> <div class="sitemap"> </div> <div class="top-footer"> <div class="left"> <div class="logo"> <a href="/en" title="Home" rel="home" class="header__logo"><img src="/sites/all/themes/unaidsV2/images/logo-unaids_sdg_small.png" alt="Home" class="header__logo-image" /></a> </div> </div> <div class="right"> <div class='inner'> <ul class='bottom-menu'><li><a href='/en/vacanciesandtenders'>Vacancies</a></li><li><a href='/en/contact'>Contact UNAIDS</a></li></ul><ul class="social"> <li><a class="x" href="http://x.com/unaids" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title=""><img src="/sites/default/files/x-logo.png"><span class="hidden">X</span></a></li> <li><a class="x" href="https://bsky.app/profile/unaids.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title=""><img src="/sites/default/files/bluesky-logo.png"><span class="hidden">Bluesky</span></a></li> <li><a class="x" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@unaidsglobal" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title=""><img src="/sites/default/files/tiktok-logo.png"><span class="hidden">TikTok</span></a></li> <li><a class="facebook" href="http://www.facebook.com/UNAIDS" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title=""><i class="fa fa-facebook" aria-hidden="true"></i><span class="hidden">facebook</span></a></li> <li><a class="instagram" href="https://instagram.com/unaidsglobal/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title=""><i class="fa fa-instagram" aria-hidden="true"><span class="hidden">instagram</span></i></a></li> <li><a class="youtube" href="https://www.youtube.com/user/UNAIDS" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title=""><i class="fa fa-youtube" aria-hidden="true"></i><span class="hidden">youtube</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div id ='closure'><div class='inner'><div class='left'>Copyright © 2025    UNAIDS</div><div class='right'><ul class='closure-menu'><li><a href='/en/aboutunaids/contactunaids/fraud_alert'>Report fraud, abuse, misconduct</a></li><li><a href='/en/scam-alert'>Scam alert</a></li><li><a href='/en/terms-of-use'>Terms of use</a></li></ul></div></div></div> </footer> </div> <script src="/sites/default/files/advagg_js/js__piagDp-OifX3HfM9AznkttTmQIj7A3PeGUH-v4fJC44__-UagLnp8K8-TyKWgKPe65iPqmdqp2zBSKrivrGqEZno__LkpEVG5kAWGBw3VzTNBTKIJVM0oio5HbgOgA3lShDUs.js"></script> <script src="/sites/default/files/advagg_js/js__ZyeOaiFuDejQQbhUV7yg7atYZnj4WLfH77o0scv4068__jeShjS1-sEwOx4dbB-NSBsCnxWfNslS1Nkgx4CZngGA__LkpEVG5kAWGBw3VzTNBTKIJVM0oio5HbgOgA3lShDUs.js"></script> <script src="/sites/default/files/advagg_js/js__yXMROFqMVAMNwbKAg16nIGZ2935oO3U_5kq0tl4z0yA__G2vysMSHrFj8dZ_cezJiwZbnkc7WCB4GaXmmb8OQJ8o__LkpEVG5kAWGBw3VzTNBTKIJVM0oio5HbgOgA3lShDUs.js"></script> <script src="/sites/default/files/advagg_js/js__xrh8-kEnCJkkMXz9y_Ycd31r5vJAQcRV7E_FMpJvKR0__t5ShDemk2-djTO1hmQe-KQI-oIdAfCJSDqP7aHNEvoM__LkpEVG5kAWGBw3VzTNBTKIJVM0oio5HbgOgA3lShDUs.js"></script> <script src="/sites/default/files/advagg_js/js__M4uXU7Iie72vSCmjYEWXv5Spdw0Csgrq8w-Z3c4B08s__AuG5baBuB8sRTDCdy-19Oegn_n9hr1iNKwYC0FVDa1k__LkpEVG5kAWGBw3VzTNBTKIJVM0oio5HbgOgA3lShDUs.js"></script> <script>/* Font Face Observer v2.1.0 - © Bram Stein. License: BSD-3-Clause */(function(){'use strict';var f,g=[];function l(a){g.push(a);1==g.length&&f()}function m(){for(;g.length;)g[0](),g.shift()}f=function(){setTimeout(m)};function n(a){this.a=p;this.b=void 0;this.f=[];var b=this;try{a(function(a){q(b,a)},function(a){r(b,a)})}catch(c){r(b,c)}}var p=2;function t(a){return new n(function(b,c){c(a)})}function u(a){return new n(function(b){b(a)})}function q(a,b){if(a.a==p){if(b==a)throw new TypeError;var c=!1;try{var d=b&&b.then;if(null!=b&&"object"==typeof b&&"function"==typeof d){d.call(b,function(b){c||q(a,b);c=!0},function(b){c||r(a,b);c=!0});return}}catch(e){c||r(a,e);return}a.a=0;a.b=b;v(a)}} function r(a,b){if(a.a==p){if(b==a)throw new TypeError;a.a=1;a.b=b;v(a)}}function v(a){l(function(){if(a.a!=p)for(;a.f.length;){var b=a.f.shift(),c=b[0],d=b[1],e=b[2],b=b[3];try{0==a.a?"function"==typeof c?e(c.call(void 0,a.b)):e(a.b):1==a.a&&("function"==typeof d?e(d.call(void 0,a.b)):b(a.b))}catch(h){b(h)}}})}n.prototype.g=function(a){return this.c(void 0,a)};n.prototype.c=function(a,b){var c=this;return new n(function(d,e){c.f.push([a,b,d,e]);v(c)})}; function w(a){return new n(function(b,c){function d(c){return function(d){h[c]=d;e+=1;e==a.length&&b(h)}}var e=0,h=[];0==a.length&&b(h);for(var k=0;k<a.length;k+=1)u(a[k]).c(d(k),c)})}function x(a){return new n(function(b,c){for(var d=0;d<a.length;d+=1)u(a[d]).c(b,c)})};window.Promise||(window.Promise=n,window.Promise.resolve=u,window.Promise.reject=t,window.Promise.race=x,window.Promise.all=w,window.Promise.prototype.then=n.prototype.c,window.Promise.prototype["catch"]=n.prototype.g);}()); (function(){function l(a,b){document.addEventListener?a.addEventListener("scroll",b,!1):a.attachEvent("scroll",b)}function m(a){document.body?a():document.addEventListener?document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",function c(){document.removeEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",c);a()}):document.attachEvent("onreadystatechange",function k(){if("interactive"==document.readyState||"complete"==document.readyState)document.detachEvent("onreadystatechange",k),a()})};function t(a){this.a=document.createElement("div");this.a.setAttribute("aria-hidden","true");this.a.appendChild(document.createTextNode(a));this.b=document.createElement("span");this.c=document.createElement("span");this.h=document.createElement("span");this.f=document.createElement("span");this.g=-1;this.b.style.cssText="max-width:none;display:inline-block;position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;overflow:scroll;font-size:16px;";this.c.style.cssText="max-width:none;display:inline-block;position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;overflow:scroll;font-size:16px;"; this.f.style.cssText="max-width:none;display:inline-block;position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;overflow:scroll;font-size:16px;";this.h.style.cssText="display:inline-block;width:200%;height:200%;font-size:16px;max-width:none;";this.b.appendChild(this.h);this.c.appendChild(this.f);this.a.appendChild(this.b);this.a.appendChild(this.c)} function u(a,b){a.a.style.cssText="max-width:none;min-width:20px;min-height:20px;display:inline-block;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;width:auto;margin:0;padding:0;top:-999px;white-space:nowrap;font-synthesis:none;font:"+b+";"}function z(a){var b=a.a.offsetWidth,c=b+100;a.f.style.width=c+"px";a.c.scrollLeft=c;a.b.scrollLeft=a.b.scrollWidth+100;return a.g!==b?(a.g=b,!0):!1}function A(a,b){function c(){var a=k;z(a)&&a.a.parentNode&&b(a.g)}var k=a;l(a.b,c);l(a.c,c);z(a)};function B(a,b){var c=b||{};this.family=a;this.style=c.style||"normal";this.weight=c.weight||"normal";this.stretch=c.stretch||"normal"}var C=null,D=null,E=null,F=null;function G(){if(null===D)if(J()&&/Apple/.test(window.navigator.vendor)){var a=/AppleWebKit\/([0-9]+)(?:\.([0-9]+))(?:\.([0-9]+))/.exec(window.navigator.userAgent);D=!!a&&603>parseInt(a[1],10)}else D=!1;return D}function J(){null===F&&(F=!!document.fonts);return F} function K(){if(null===E){var a=document.createElement("div");try{a.style.font="condensed 100px sans-serif"}catch(b){}E=""!==a.style.font}return E}function L(a,b){return[a.style,a.weight,K()?a.stretch:"","100px",b].join(" ")} B.prototype.load=function(a,b){var c=this,k=a||"BESbswy",r=0,n=b||3E3,H=(new Date).getTime();return new Promise(function(a,b){if(J()&&!G()){var M=new Promise(function(a,b){function e(){(new Date).getTime()-H>=n?b(Error(""+n+"ms timeout exceeded")):document.fonts.load(L(c,'"'+c.family+'"'),k).then(function(c){1<=c.length?a():setTimeout(e,25)},b)}e()}),N=new Promise(function(a,c){r=setTimeout(function(){c(Error(""+n+"ms timeout exceeded"))},n)});Promise.race([N,M]).then(function(){clearTimeout(r);a(c)}, b)}else m(function(){function v(){var b;if(b=-1!=f&&-1!=g||-1!=f&&-1!=h||-1!=g&&-1!=h)(b=f!=g&&f!=h&&g!=h)||(null===C&&(b=/AppleWebKit\/([0-9]+)(?:\.([0-9]+))/.exec(window.navigator.userAgent),C=!!b&&(536>parseInt(b[1],10)||536===parseInt(b[1],10)&&11>=parseInt(b[2],10))),b=C&&(f==w&&g==w&&h==w||f==x&&g==x&&h==x||f==y&&g==y&&h==y)),b=!b;b&&(d.parentNode&&d.parentNode.removeChild(d),clearTimeout(r),a(c))}function I(){if((new Date).getTime()-H>=n)d.parentNode&&d.parentNode.removeChild(d),b(Error(""+ n+"ms timeout exceeded"));else{var a=document.hidden;if(!0===a||void 0===a)f=e.a.offsetWidth,g=p.a.offsetWidth,h=q.a.offsetWidth,v();r=setTimeout(I,50)}}var e=new t(k),p=new t(k),q=new t(k),f=-1,g=-1,h=-1,w=-1,x=-1,y=-1,d=document.createElement("div");d.dir="ltr";u(e,L(c,"sans-serif"));u(p,L(c,"serif"));u(q,L(c,"monospace"));d.appendChild(e.a);d.appendChild(p.a);d.appendChild(q.a);document.body.appendChild(d);w=e.a.offsetWidth;x=p.a.offsetWidth;y=q.a.offsetWidth;I();A(e,function(a){f=a;v()});u(e, L(c,'"'+c.family+'",sans-serif'));A(p,function(a){g=a;v()});u(p,L(c,'"'+c.family+'",serif'));A(q,function(a){h=a;v()});u(q,L(c,'"'+c.family+'",monospace'))})})};"object"===typeof module?module.exports=B:(window.FontFaceObserver=B,window.FontFaceObserver.prototype.load=B.prototype.load);}()); </script> <script>jQuery.extend(Drupal.settings,{"basePath":"\/","pathPrefix":"en\/","setHasJsCookie":0,"ajaxPageState":{"theme":"unaidsV2","theme_token":"eWdWsL5C9QF5HABpSWTfNvpvD2R5UIhD3Z6C4_iC8ks"},"colorbox":{"opacity":"0.85","current":"{current} of {total}","previous":"\u00ab Prev","next":"Next \u00bb","close":"Close","maxWidth":"98%","maxHeight":"98%","fixed":true,"mobiledetect":true,"mobiledevicewidth":"480px","file_public_path":"\/sites\/default\/files","specificPagesDefaultValue":"admin*\nimagebrowser*\nimg_assist*\nimce*\nnode\/add\/*\nnode\/*\/edit\nprint\/*\nprintpdf\/*\nsystem\/ajax\nsystem\/ajax\/*"},"unaidsV2":{"carouselCaptionFlag":false},"lazyloader":{"throttle":"500","offset":"7000","debounce":1,"unload":0,"icon":"","offsetX":0,"offsetY":0},"better_exposed_filters":{"views":{"overlay_box":{"displays":{"block":{"filters":[]}}},"search_suggestions":{"displays":{"block":{"filters":[]}}}}},"search_autocomplete":{"form1":{"selector":"#search-form[action=\u0022\/search\/node\u0022] #edit-keys","minChars":"3","max_sug":"10","type":"internal","datas":"https:\/\/www.unaids.org\/en","fid":"1","theme":"basic-green","auto_submit":"1","auto_redirect":"1"},"form2":{"selector":"#search-form[action=\u0022\/search\/user\u0022] #edit-keys","minChars":"3","max_sug":"10","type":"internal","datas":"https:\/\/www.unaids.org\/en","fid":"2","theme":"user-blue","auto_submit":"1","auto_redirect":"1"},"form3":{"selector":"#edit-search-block-form--2","minChars":"3","max_sug":"10","type":"internal","datas":"https:\/\/www.unaids.org\/en\/search_autocomplete\/autocomplete\/3\/","fid":"3","theme":"basic-green","auto_submit":"1","auto_redirect":"1"}},"advagg_font":{"courier-new":"Courier New","avenirltstd-book":"AvenirLTStd-Book","avenirltstd-heavy":"AvenirLTStd-Heavy","volkhov":"Volkhov","avenirltstd-medium":"AvenirLTStd-Medium","avenirltstd-black":"AvenirLTStd-Black"},"advagg_font_storage":1,"advagg_font_cookie":1,"advagg_font_no_fout":0});</script>     <script type="text/javascript" src="https://customer.cludo.com/scripts/bundles/search-script.min.js"></script> <script> var CludoSearch; (function () { var cludoSettings = { customerId: 470, engineId: 2092, searchUrl: "/en/site-search", language: "en", sortOrder: {}, hideSearchFiltersIfNoResult: false, searchInputs: ['cludo-search-form', 'top-search-form'], customCallbackAfterSearch: function() { $("#search-button a").removeClass("active"); $(".search-box").fadeOut(); $('body').removeClass('search-open'); } }; CludoSearch= new Cludo(cludoSettings); CludoSearch.init(); })(); var inputElement = document.getElementById("search-box"); inputElement.addEventListener('keydown', function (e) { var key = e.which || e.keyCode; if (key === 13) { // 13 is enter $("#search-button a").removeClass("active"); $(".search-box").fadeOut(); $('body').removeClass('search-open'); } }); </script>  </body> </html>