Democratic Republic of the Congo

Last updated on: 3 September 2012

Criminalisation of HIV transmission/exposure

Democratic Republic of the Congo
Whether Specific law enacted: 
Yes - 2008
Number of people prosecuted: 
-
Number of people convicted: 
-
Applicable law: 

Law 08/011 of 14 July 2008 : see article 45

Law of 20 July 2007 on sexual violence: see article 174i

Key wording in the law: 

Article 45:

Est puni de cinq à six ans de servitude pénale principale et de cinq cent mille francs Congolais d'amende, quiconque transmet délibérément le VIH/SIDA.

Discussion: 

This is a new law and it has not been applied yet.

Survey respondents/Organisations working on HIV and the Law: 

Union Congolaise des Organisations des Organisations des Personnes Vivants avec le VIH

Fidele Benda Bayamba

A 42, Q/Yolo Sud, Commune de Kalamu

Kinshasa

Republique Democratique du Congo

+243 810 521 921

Ucopplus_@yahoo.fr

RUBAM ROUGE

Olivier Okakesema

+243 814 526 922

SACROI

Jean Claude Katende

+243 811 729 908

jckatende@yahoo.fr

Other laws and policies with an impact on responses to HIV

Laws and regulations relating to entry, stay or residence in the country: 

According to our research, there are no legal or other regulations limiting the entry of people with HIV/AIDS.

Travellers are required to carry evidence of a yellow fever vaccination.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of the Republic of the Congo.

For updated information, please go to: www.hivrestrictions.org

Laws relating to same sex, sexual relations: 

Male to Male relationships: Legal

Punishments for male to male relationships: No law

Female to Female Relationships: Legal

Age of consent: Equal for heterosexuals and homosexuals

For updated information, please go to: http://ilga.org

Laws relating to injecting drug use: 

Death Penalty

Protective laws and policies for people living with HIV: 

Yes

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