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Pacific Islands Chiefs of PoliceWorking towards "Safe and secure communities for all Pacific Island countries" |
HIV/AIDS ProgrammeEngaging Men and Women in the Uniformed Services in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS UNAIDS and Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police Partnership HIV/AIDS ProgrammeProgramme Background"In today's world, we can no longer pretend that the risk of HIV does not exist. Being informed can save your life".
Andrew Hughes, PICP Chairperson and Commissioner of Fiji Police
In September 2005 the Pacific Island Chiefs of Police (PICP) and UNAIDS signed a partnership declaration making the prevention of HIV and the development of HIV policy a priority for all PICP member country police services. The initiative was hailed by Ulf Kristoffersson, Director of UNAIDS as a "major step towards scaling up HIV prevention measures among police from the Pacific region". Although the current HIV prevalence is considered low in many Pacific Island nations, the epidemic is taking hold rapidly in some countries in the region. The uniformed services, including police and in particular men and women serving on long deployment overseas, are highly vulnerable to HIV because of their work environment, mobility and age. A number of Pacific Police Chiefs or Commissioners have publicly acknowledged that death and illness due to HIV/AIDS is a growing reality within their police services. HIV A Threat To SecurityI"There is no question that the AIDS pandemic has reached proportions that pose a clear threat to stability and development."
Canadian UN Security Council Representative, January 2000
For over 5 years it has been widely recognised that HIV/AIDS presents as not just a health issue requiring a response from related health services, but one that is of concern to international and national security. The United Nations Security Council recognised this in a groundbreaking resolution in January 2000. UN Security Council resolution 1308 conceptualised and drew international attention to HIV/AIDS as an issue of security. The Security Council helped transform the way defence, police and other government ministries view the disease and to mobilise action. The link between conflict, deterioration in law and order and the HIV epidemic is well understood, and it can create environments in which political and ethnic tensions can worsen, and will contribute to the proliferation of armed conflict. The PICP/UNAIDS partnership programme is an important part of the continuation of the multisectoral response that is required to curb the spread of HIV in the Pacific region, and to thus maintain the integrity of key services charged with upholding civilian law and order, and national and international security. In the 1990's the Royal Thai Army recognised, with 1 in 25 (4%) recruits being HIV positive, that the epidemic was undermining their military readiness and threatening national security. Thailand's army then implemented a comprehensive HIV/AIDS response tailored to its needs and over time the prevalence of HIV has declined by more than 75%. There are distinct differences between military and police services, but the Thai Royal Army has shown that the epidemic can be effectively turned around and serves as a 'good news' story for those police services already experiencing the burden of HIV/AIDS on their personnel and service response capability. The police of the Pacific play a key role in the maintenance of civil society and its laws, both within their own national jurisdictions and internationally. While not always well known, PICP member services provide a considerable and vital role in the provision of peacekeeping services in areas of conflict or instability throughout the Pacific and beyond. It is crucial that the Pacific police services are not (further) undermined by HIV/AIDS and that their readiness and ability to provide a response to civil, national and international security is maintained. A Reason for Optimism in the Pacific: The PICP/UNAIDS Partnership ResponseThis partnership programme is a major step towards scaling up HIV prevention measures among police from the Pacific region, working either overseas and/or within their own countries. This will ensure improved HIV protection for the police themselves, their families and the wider communities they serve. The Pacific region is one of the largest contributors of police personnel serving on UN peacekeeping operations. Pacific Island countries and territories increasingly engage in regional and international security oriented initiatives, such as the Regional Assistance Mission, Solomon Islands. With the increasing risk of HIV, both from within the Pacific and in other regions, the programme is well timed to effectively prevent HIV becoming a more serious issue for the PICP member services. "The South Pacific is one of the last places (in the world) where the spread of AIDS can be curtailed."
Dennis McKinley, Executive Director UNICEF NZ
The programme will also connect to the already existing support from broader Pacific government's and donor commitment. In 2004, Pacific Parliamentarians became signatories to the Suva declaration on HIV/AIDS for Pacific Island Countries. The combined senior level commitment from both the Commissioners/Chiefs of the PICP via the PICP/UNAIDS declaration, and the wider Pacific Governments' heads through the Suva declaration is cause for considerable optimism for the success of HIV prevention efforts within the wider Pacific region, and in particular for the Pacific police services. Funds are already committed to the Programme from UNAIDS, AUSAID and NZAID. Goals of the Programme
Progress to DateA Programme Manager, Mr Alistair Mac Donald has been appointed and is based with the PICP Secretariat's permanent office within the Office of the New Zealand Police Commissioner. In early 2006 Alistair will convene a meeting of the senior heads of HR from the member police services to present a programme outline and consult on the essential components of the programme. The Programme Manager will work closely with the regional UNAIDS offices, and seek the co-operation of and utilise the available specialist government and non-government HIV prevention and treatment services in each member country. To ensure maximum effect and uptake, the programme will be tailored to fit, as much as this is possible, with each country's specific needs and requirements, and it will avoid duplication of established service and effort. A more detailed operational plan will be available in early 2006. Programme Contact DetailsFor further information on the PICP/UNAIDS Programme please contact: Alistair MacDonald |