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01 December 1999
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WORLD AIDS DAY MESSAGE
By Mary Robinson
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
1 December 1999
As we embark on a new century, HIV/AIDS poses one of the greatest challenges to public health, human rights and development. The figures are truly alarming - in 1999 alone, some 5.6 million people - adults and children - became infected with HIV bringing the total number of infections to 50 million since the outbreak of the epidemic. Already this year, a record 2.6 million people have died from AIDS. While 95% of the cases are concentrated in developing countries, the industrialized countries are experiencing 75'000 new infections each year.
HIV/AIDS is devastating for the individual who may be infected, and its impact on communities and society at large is enormous. HIV/AIDS disproportionally affects those population groups who are already vulnerable, including children, women, the poor, the destitute and millions of others whose life situations are further exacerbated by the denial of basic human rights. The majority of those infected are unable to afford the high cost of effective treatment and adequate health care. All too often, individuals and communities are denied the opportunity to discuss the difficult issues surrounding HIV/AIDS, to organize themselves into self-help groups and to take the necessary measures for protection from HIV infection. In an environment where human rights are not fully respected, the likelihood of vulnerability to infection and further exclusion increases dramatically.
My Office will continue to encourage Governments to promote and report on HIV/AIDS-related human rights; integrate HIV/AIDS into human rights work and activities; raise awareness about the need for law reform regarding non-discrimination, protection of public health and the improvement of the status of marginalized groups; and, to increase private sector and community participation in the response to HIV/AIDS. The International Guidelines which have jointly been published by my Office and UNAIDS, and which are available on the UNAIDS website, aim to assist States and agencies in translating international human rights norms into practical observance.
World AIDS Day is a call for action. It is a day to harness energies, promote solidarity and fuel new initiatives. Let us use this momentum and further strengthen our commitment and collective responsibility to ensure an effective response to the epidemic. Let us demonstrate our solidarity by making the millions of lives affected by HIV/AIDS free from intolerance, discrimination and human rights abuse.
By Mary Robinson
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
1 December 1999
As we embark on a new century, HIV/AIDS poses one of the greatest challenges to public health, human rights and development. The figures are truly alarming - in 1999 alone, some 5.6 million people - adults and children - became infected with HIV bringing the total number of infections to 50 million since the outbreak of the epidemic. Already this year, a record 2.6 million people have died from AIDS. While 95% of the cases are concentrated in developing countries, the industrialized countries are experiencing 75'000 new infections each year.
HIV/AIDS is devastating for the individual who may be infected, and its impact on communities and society at large is enormous. HIV/AIDS disproportionally affects those population groups who are already vulnerable, including children, women, the poor, the destitute and millions of others whose life situations are further exacerbated by the denial of basic human rights. The majority of those infected are unable to afford the high cost of effective treatment and adequate health care. All too often, individuals and communities are denied the opportunity to discuss the difficult issues surrounding HIV/AIDS, to organize themselves into self-help groups and to take the necessary measures for protection from HIV infection. In an environment where human rights are not fully respected, the likelihood of vulnerability to infection and further exclusion increases dramatically.
My Office will continue to encourage Governments to promote and report on HIV/AIDS-related human rights; integrate HIV/AIDS into human rights work and activities; raise awareness about the need for law reform regarding non-discrimination, protection of public health and the improvement of the status of marginalized groups; and, to increase private sector and community participation in the response to HIV/AIDS. The International Guidelines which have jointly been published by my Office and UNAIDS, and which are available on the UNAIDS website, aim to assist States and agencies in translating international human rights norms into practical observance.
World AIDS Day is a call for action. It is a day to harness energies, promote solidarity and fuel new initiatives. Let us use this momentum and further strengthen our commitment and collective responsibility to ensure an effective response to the epidemic. Let us demonstrate our solidarity by making the millions of lives affected by HIV/AIDS free from intolerance, discrimination and human rights abuse.