In September 2011, a Special Select Committee unanimously rejected a bill on the Criminal Responsibility of HIV Infected Individuals proposed by Guyana Action Party parliamentarian Everall Franklin in 2010. 

According to a news report (attached below) the Committee's Chair, Health Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said

that the committee agreed that “the willful transmission of HIV is unacceptable and is criminal” but believed that there are general criminal laws that are adequate to address the willful transmission of HV. He added that after hearing the views of individuals and organisations who came before the committee they concluded that criminalisation of HIV transmission has not been proven to prevent the spread of HIV.

“It merely encourages individuals not to get tested and increases the stigma and discrimination against those who are positive,” he added.

This in turn could lead to an increase in the spread of HIV since people would fear to get tested and could pass the virus on. Stigma and discrimination, the minister said have proven to be “the most powerful drivers” of the HIV epidemic.

UNAIDS in the Carribbean congratulated the Government via a press statement 'Guyana gets it right' which noted

“Such a law would have deepened the climate of denial, secrecy and fear surrounding the virus in Guyana and in so doing reduce people’s willingness to learn their status and access treatment and support. Ironically, a measure meant to reduce the spread of HIV could have led to its increase.”

The full Report of the Special Select Committee to the Guyana Parliament is attached below.