Human rights – a central concern for the global HIV response

On World AIDS Day 2010, the global community is focusing attention on protecting human rights of all people affected by HIV.

Health, HIV and human rights are inextricably linked. HIV responses need to ensure that human rights are protected and promoted. At the same time, the promotion and protection of human rights reduces HIV risk and vulnerability and makes HIV programmes more effective. Those populations most vulnerable and at risk of HIV are often the same populations prone to human rights violations. HIV policies and programmes in the health sector must promote human rights and empower individuals to exercise their rights.

The right to health is central to the HIV response. While we are encouraged by news that HIV epidemics are stabilizing in most regions of the world, it is clear that too many people still do not have access to essential HIV services that can prevent HIV infections and save lives. Antiretroviral treatment is still only available to one third of people in need. Even with the expansion of programmes to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV, in 2009 only 53% of pregnant women living with HIV were able to access treatment to prevent their infants from becoming infected.

Populations most at risk of HIV infection, including injecting drug users, sex workers, men who have sex with men and transgender people are also those populations who have the least access to much needed HIV prevention, treatment and care services. For example, coverage of harm reduction programmes remained limited in 2009. Among 92 countries that reported, 36 had needle and syringe programmes and 33 offered opioid substitution therapy.