A controversial measure that allows the police to detain people for the purpose of forced HIV tests has been reinstated by Adonis Georgiadis, in one of his first decisions as health minister. The measure, introduced by Pasok health minister Andreas Loverdos shortly before the May 2012 general election, resulted in the round-up and subsequent forced testing of hundreds of women. The 17 found to be HIV positive had their names, personal details and photographs published in the media, on the grounds of protecting public health. The women, labelled as “prostitutes” (although there was no evidence that they were involved in sex work) and accused of being “health bombs”, were kept in jail for months until they were finally acquitted on the charge of “intended bodily injury”. The final five were released last March…More

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