United Nations to elaborate guidelines on HIV/AIDS and human rights

Abstract

The United Nations, through the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the Centre for Human Rights, convened an international conference in September 1996 to develop guidelines aimed at safeguarding the human rights of individuals affected by HIV/AIDS. This second conference brought together experts from governments, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and representatives from networks of people living with HIV/AIDS. The primary goal was to finalize and adopt guidelines that promote and protect human rights in the context of the AIDS epidemic, with a focus on international human rights standards. The guidelines targeted states and their officials, including legislators, policymakers, and representatives from health, education, police, justice, and interior ministries. The conference emphasized the need to ensure that legislation, policies, and practices respect human rights and do not hinder HIV/AIDS prevention and care programs, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women, children, indigenous peoples, minorities, refugees, migrants, sex workers, men who have sex with men, intravenous drug users, and prisoners.