U.S. Agency for International DevelopmentU.S. Agency for International Development

The Futures Group InternationalThe Futures Group International

Research Triangle InstituteResearch Triangle Institute

The Centre for Development and Population ActivitiesThe Centre for Development and Population Activities

POL CYI

Human Rights areHuman Rights are……

those freedoms and entitlements invested in each person at birth

which are universal and inalienable

1948: Universal Declaration of Human Rights

1966: Int’l Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

1966: Int’l Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

1979: Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women

International Human Rights

“Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home—close and so small they can not be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person; the neighborhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm or office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman and child seek equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerned citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world.”

Eleanor Roosevelt

Traditional Public Health Response

Human Rights

PublicHealth

conflicting

An example….

Tuberculosis

Public Health

Human Rights

An Expanded Response…

social

diagnosislegal

political

treatmentcare prev

ention

Why Human Rights in HIV/AIDS?Why Human Rights in HIV/AIDS?

Human RightsViolations

Vulnerability

HIV/AIDS

Vulnerability

Priority TopicsPriority Topics

1. Stigma

2. Information

3. Testing

4. Gender

5. Employment

The Right to Non-Discrimination and The Right to Non-Discrimination and Equality before the Law protects people from...Equality before the Law protects people from...

• Ostracism

• Alienation

• Shame

• Violence

Stigma

Stigma

Photo: South African Sunday Times

Stigma

Stigma

Multi facetedApproach

Youth targeted

Top level support of prevention & control efforts

AwarenessRaising

The Right to Freedom of Expression and The Right to Freedom of Expression and Information entitles people to…...Information entitles people to…...

• HIV/AIDS Information

• Means of prevention

• Information about treatment

Information

Information

Photo: Harvey Nelson

26

76

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80%

Aw

aren

ess

39

60

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

AwarenessUp

CondomUse Up

Information

% knowledge of condom

The Right to Privacy and The Right to Privacy and Security of Person entitles people Security of Person entitles people

to...to...

• Confidentiality

• Voluntary testing

Testing

Testing

Anonymous, friendly services =

increased tests

Testing

The Right to Non-Discrimination and The Right to Non-Discrimination and Equality before the Law entitlesEquality before the Law entitles womenwomen to…to…

Equal access to information

Control over their reproductive health

Freedom from violence and exploitation

Gender

Gender

Photo: Harvey Nelson

Need new photo

Gender

1992 1998

90

30

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

% c

ondo

m u

se

5

50

0

10

20

30

40

50

Calcutta Bombay

Condom Use Up

Prevalence Down

% p

reva

len

ce

• Secure employment

The Right to Work and Just Conditions of The Right to Work and Just Conditions of Work entitles people to…Work entitles people to…

• Receive equal benefits

...Regardless of HIV status

• Maintain employment

Employment

Employment

Photos: Johns Hopkins CCP/Photoshare

EmploymentPrevention Program Components:

Information & Education

Condom Distribution

Care & Support

Assistant with Treatment

AIDS Cases :

1995: 3.69 per 10,000

1996: 2.53 per 10,000

HIV/AIDS

ProtectHuman Rights

Vulnerability

Vulnerability

What can What can youyou do?do?

NGO Level

Subnational Level

National Level

What can What can youyou do?do?

Advocate for changes in lawIdentify/Document/Report ViolationsMake complaints to HR CommissionsOffer Direct Legal Services

National Level

Mass Media CampaignsSensitize local leadersInclude PLWHIV/AIDSSupport HIV/AIDS NGOs

What can What can youyou do?do?

Sub national Level

What can What can youyou do?do?

Promote Legal ServicesLink legal & HR ServicesRaise Community Awareness Promote VCT at community level

NGO Level

Sample Assessment QuestionsSample Assessment Questions(national level)(national level)

• Is country a party to international human rights conventions protecting persons with HIV/AIDS?

• What laws implement human rights conventions? • What are the current human rights issues in your country

related to HIV/AIDS?

• What is current HIV/AIDS agenda in national human rights commission?

• Are human rights violations reported to international human rights bodies?