[Viva] Fwd: A commitment to the HIV response is a commitment to human rights

Mon Nov 29 09:23:49 PST 2010

Here is a statement from the GNP+
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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Martin Stolk (GNP+) <mstolk at gnpplus.net>
Date: Mon, Nov 29, 2010 at 7:30 AM
Subject: A commitment to the HIV response is a commitment to human rights
To: margaritesanchez at gmail.com

A commitment to the HIV response is a commitment to human rights

*The Global Network of People living with HIV (GNP+) and the World AIDS
Campaign say that to ensure continued success in the HIV response, policies
and programmes must respect and protect the human rights of those most
affected by HIV. The 2010 Global Update on the AIDS Epidemic by the Joint
United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) suggests that significant
progress has been made in advancing access to HIV prevention, treatment,
support and care over the past ten years, but notes that human rights
approaches are crucial to further progress.  *

GNP+ and World AIDS Campaign call on governments to ensure enabling
environments for people living with HIV and key populations. In an enabling
environment, policies and programmes do not oppress, manage, control or
abuse but rather provide protective laws to ensure non-discrimination,
reduce stigma, and change harmful gender norms. Such policies and laws must
support people living with HIV to achieve positive health, dignity and
prevention - not through fear, but through empowerment and with dignity.

Increased access to treatment has enabled millions of people to lead longer,
healthier, and more productive lives. Providing treatment, in combination
with HIV prevention, support and care programmes is currently contributing
to the epidemic leveling off. The UNAIDS report shows that in 2009 the pace
of new infections had declined by almost 20% compared to 1999, but still
outpaces treatment success by two to one. Though infection rates have
declined significantly in South Africa and Zambia – among others – HIV
incidence continues to grow in other parts of the world, notably Eastern
Europe.

Political commitment and the financial support of governments and donors are
essential, but will miss their goals without legal protections for people
living with HIV – and the populations that are most affected – and policy
environments free of stigma and discrimination. UN Secretary-General Ban
Ki-moon has reported to the UN General Assembly that in many countries where
human rights are not recognised and enforced, access to essential HIV
information, prevention tools, treatment and services is restricted.

“Reports from Eastern Europe highlight that HIV drug stock outs are becoming
more frequent (1). Without treatment people living with HIV are not able to
maintain their health and wellbeing, nor to care for their partners and
families,” says Kevin Moody, International Coordinator and CEO of GNP+.
“People living with HIV have the right to the highest attainable standard of
health. Any commitment to the HIV response must be a commitment to human
rights.”

“Failure to protect the rights of sex workers, women, young people, people
who use drugs or those in same sex relations significantly hampers our
efforts to meet public health goals,” says Marcel van Soest, Executive
Director of the World AIDS Campaign. “Where human rights are officially
recognized as a priority and protected, people living with HIV and key
populations are accessing necessary treatment, prevention, support and care
services”.

The Global Fund is one of the agencies that has supported prevention,
treatment, care and support needs of millions of people around the world.
Investment into the Global Fund and HIV in general has however been falling
behind (2): in October 2010 not even half of the needed USD 20 billion for
the period 2011-2013 had been pledged (3). Based on this, the reality on the
ground will be that people in need of treatment will be turned away at
hospitals and treatment centers. Lowering the level of health support to
people living with HIV now would be a gross violation of human rights. GNP+
and World AIDS Campaign call on governments to replenish the Global Fund to
Fight HIV, TB and Malaria. Now more than ever we need to recognize peoples’
human rights.
------------------------------

*The Global Network of People living with HIV (GNP+)* is a global network
for and by people living with HIV. GNP+ advocates to improve the quality of
life of people living with HIV. The central theme for the work of GNP+ is
Reclaiming Our Lives! GNP+ programmes are organised under four platforms of
action: Empowerment; Positive Health, Dignity and Prevention; Human Rights;
and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.

*The World AIDS Campaign's* goal is to ensure that governments and policy
makers meet the HIV targets they set, the commitments they made, and
mobilise the necessary resources for a world where people do not die of AIDS
and opportunistic infections like TB. At the heart of the global commitment
is the publicly stated ambition of Universal Access by 2010 – enabling
everyone to have non-discriminatory and non-judgmental access to adequate
HIV prevention, treatment, care and support

*For more information about this news release: *Please contact GNP+ (Martin
Stolk, Communications officer, by email mstolk at gnpplus.net, or phone
+31-20-423 4114 or +31-6-1991 2406)
World AIDS Campaign (Denis Burke, Chief Producer Media and Communications,
by email burked at worldaidscampaign.org
<Mailto:burked at worldaidscampaign.org>or phone +31-20-616 9045)
------------------------------

(1) The website www.pereboi.ru from the International Treatment Preparedness
Coalition in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ITPCru) reports stockouts in
Ulyanovsk, Samara, Arkhangelsk, the Moscow Oblast, Vladimir, Kaliningrad,
Saratov and other regions.
(2) International Treatment Preparedness Coalition (2010). Missing the
Target 8: Rationing Funds, Risking Lives. Pp. 9.
http://www.aidsportal.org/repos/ITPC_MTT8_FINAL.pdf

(3) Global Fund Third Voluntary Replenishment, 2011-2013. Pledges for 2011 –
2013 at 5 October 2010.
http://www.globalfundreplenishment.org/results-from-3rd-voluntary-replenishment-meeting/

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