Campaigning MEP delighted at US vote to remove HIV+ travel ban

A Liberal Democrat politician who led a campaign for the abolition of a ban on HIV+ travellers to the US has said she is "delighted" that the Senate has voted to end the current restrictions. London MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford lobbied for the abolition of HIV discrimination as a principal goal in EU visa negotiations with the US. "As a campaigner on this issue I’m delighted that the Senate’s ruling has cleared the way the end to this discriminatory, unjustified and out-dated policy, though not a moment too soon," she said. "I'm gratified that EU pressure led by Euro-MPs has contributed to this outcome. "The Bush administration should act quickly now to restore visa waiver rights to individuals with HIV/AIDS and stop treating them as second class citizens." Last month the EU Justice Commissioner Jacques Barrot wrote to US... [read full story]