Denmark signals tougher HIV law

COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- The Danish government is seeking harsher punishment for people who carelessly or deliberately pass on the AIDS virus HIV.

Justice Minister Frank Jensen told national radio that the government wants parliament to approve a new law which would punish such a crime with prison terms of up to four years.

Under current legislation, perpetrators can be convicted if the victim dies within 15 years.

The government considers the law to be inadequate as new forms of treatment and medication mean that people carrying the HIV virus now often live longer than 15 years.

Sweden punishes careless or deliberate HIV infection with jail terms of up to ten years.

Two weeks ago, a Danish man was arrested in the Swedish city of Gothenburg and charged with infecting several women.

However, an organisation grouping Danish HIV carriers opposes the Danish government's draft legislation, saying the tougher prison terms will lead to a false sense of security.

See related sites about Europe

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.