Members of the HIV/Aids tribunal were sworn in yesterday. The tribunal will receive all complaints on HIV issues. The swearing in ceremony was conducted by the deputy registrar at the high court in Nairobi. The tribunal will be chaired by lawyer Ambrose Rachier.

Other members are Joy Asiema, Mohammed Kullow, Prof Julius Kyambi, Dr Ephantus Chomba, Angelino Siparo and Joe Muriuki. The tribunal, which is under the office of the Attorney General, will handle legal issues relating to HIV, including discrimination against people living with HIV and protecting the confidentiality of medical records. It has the status of a subordinate court with the right to summon witnesses and take evidence.

Some of the cases lined up for the tribunal include discrimination agsinst people living with HIV at work places, in schools, colleges, at foreign embassies and even at home. According to the Act, it is an offence to conduct a HIV test on a person with disability or a minor without the written consent of a guardian.