Mauritius to allow foreigners with HIV/AIDS to marry local women http://www.afriquenligne.fr/news/daily_news/mauritius_to_allow_foreigners_with_hiv%10aids_to_marry_local_women_200708115635/

Port Louis (Mauritius) A communiqué issued this morning by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in Port Louis, the capital and signed by the Prime Minister (PM) himself, Dr Navin Chandra Ramgoolam, writes that the government has decided to amend the Civil Status Act (CSA) and the Immigration Act (IA) to grant permission to foreigners suffering from HIV/AIDS to stay and get married in Mauritius.

This change of heart of the government follows the hue and cry that erupted when the Passport and Immigration Office (PIO) last Tuesday ordered a female South African citizen who intended to marry a Mauritian to leave Mauritius voluntarily by tomorrow Sunday 12th August because she is HIV/AIDS positive.

NGOs had condemned the insensitivity of the government especially because the couple has a child.

After having been the unmarried partner of a Mauritian in South Africa for seven years and during which a son was born, the couple decided to come back to Mauritius; and it was during a medical test carried out by the PIO prior to receiving permission to marry her, that it was discovered that she was suffering from HIV/AIDS.

The communiqué adds that there has been conflicting clauses in the IA, the CSA and the HIV Act (HIVA).

But according to the HIVA of December 2006, there should be no discrimination against persons suffering from HIV/AIDS while the CSA of 1982 stipulates that no marriage can be registered for foreigners with HIV/AIDS who want to marry a Mauritian citizen.

The IA of 1992 prevents any foreigner with HIV/AIDS to stay in the island.

The communiqué further said that Dr Ramgoolam has made use of his prerogative as Premier to allow the woman to stay until the laws will be changed to allow the couple to get married officially in Mauritius.

NGOs have hailed the rapidity at which the government has taken the decision.

SR/tjm/APA
2007-08-11
African Press Agency