Roundtable on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights, New York, 26 June 2001. Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Kristin Sydnes, Norwegian Minister of International Development.

Mr. Chairman,

Ladies and gentlemen,

There are strong links between an effective response to HIV/AIDS and respect, protection and fulfilment of human rights. An effective response must be based on commitment to non-discrimination, equality and the participation of people living with HIV/AIDS.

I would like to emphasize three main reasons why our response to the pandemic must also be based on human rights.

1. Because people whose human rights are violated become more vulnerable to HIV infection. Experience has clearly shown that where individuals, communities and especially vulnerable groups are able to realize their human rights, the incidence of HIV infection declines.

Children and adolescents, particularly young girls, are vulnerable and are disproportionately affected by the AIDS epidemic. Special attention should therefore be given to the rights of children in the context of HIV/AIDS. The right to education and the right to information are crucial in this connection.

The epidemic also places a heavy burden on women. In some countries infection rates for young women are four times those of young men. Women also continue to bear the burden of caring for family members with or affected by HIV/AIDS. Respect for the right to information, including information about sex, and respect for the right to reproductive health is essential in empowering women to protect themselves and reduce their vulnerability to infection, as well as in reducing mother-to-child transmission of the disease. This includes the right to make sexual and reproductive decisions free from discrimination, coercion and violence.

2. Our approach must be human rights-based because discrimination based on HIV status not only violates human rights, it undermines effective prevention measures. Non-discrimination is a key to the effective social mobilization that is essential to turn the epidemic back, and empowers individuals and communities to respond adequately to HIV/AIDS.

Laws, policies and practices should not discriminate against people living with HIV/AIDS. I would especially like to mention the threat HIV/AIDS poses to workers’ rights. While HIV is not readily transmitted in the majority of workplace settings, the supposed risk of transmission has been used as a reason for refusing or terminating employment. Workers’ rights need to be protected by eliminating discrimination in the world of work based on real or perceived HIV status and by respecting the dignity of working people .

3. And our approach must be human rights-based because the epidemic is in itself a threat to the right to health.

I would like to express my appreciation to those who drafted the background paper for this session. I believe the focus on lessons learned in connection with respecting, protecting and fulfilling human rights is the right approach.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the NGO community and civil society for the work you have done during the last twenty years in the fight against HIV/AIDS. This includes your fight for the human rights and the human dignity of those affected and infected by the disease. I am pleased and honoured to share this roundtable with you.

Even if we leave this Special Session without the kind of document that many of you, me included, had hoped for, I still think we will have accomplished something. There is no longer any doubt that the HIV/AIDS pandemic is receiving more attention and attracting broader commitment now than ever before.

Thank you.