On 6th March 2025, prominent global figures convened at the Palais des Nations in Geneva for the Human Rights Council’s 58th session, focusing on a sustainable HIV response rooted in human rights. The discussions highlighted the persistent stigma, discrimination, and punitive laws that exacerbate the HIV epidemic. To end AIDS, we need more than just medication; it requires unwavering political will, legal reform, and a commitment to human dignity.
Currently, 39 million individuals worldwide are living with HIV, with 1.3 million new infections reported in 2022. Key populations—such as drug users, sex workers, LGBTQ+ communities, and prisoners—suffer significantly. Not only do these groups experience higher HIV rates, but they also face exclusion from essential healthcare services due to laws that criminalise their existence.
Data shows a clear correlation between criminalisation and increased HIV rates. In regions where drug use and sex work are decriminalised, individuals demonstrate higher awareness of their HIV status and lower incidence rates. The statistics reveal a pressing need to address these injustices, as they directly affect real lives, including those of mothers, fathers, and friends.
The recent Human Rights Council resolution (56/20) calls for the dismantling of discriminatory laws and the integration of HIV services into primary healthcare for universal access. However, mere resolutions are not sufficient; tangible legal reforms aligning with human rights are essential. Countries safeguarding human rights show better health outcomes, with boosted HIV testing and treatment rates.
Examples like harm reduction programs—needle exchanges and opioid substitution therapies—show promise in reducing transmission rates among drug users. However, less than 2% of these individuals have access to such crucial services. Integrating HIV care into wider healthcare systems, particularly primary care, is vital for sustainable health outcomes.
Funding presents a significant hurdle, with UNAIDS estimating a required investment of $29.3 billion by 2030 to continue progressing towards ending AIDS. Yet, funding levels are declining in low- and middle-income nations, creating a critical shortfall for programs aimed at key populations. Meanwhile, the sudden end of USAID funding has intensified the crisis.
Government must bolster domestic funding for HIV initiatives, focusing resources on those most in need and supporting community-led responses that effectively engage with key populations. International donors must also fulfil their financial pledges rather than withdraw from essential global health commitments.
As addressed in my remarks at the Geneva panel, the HIV response must centre on dignity, equality, and justice. The pressing question remains: do we choose a society where individuals are criminalised for their survival, or one that promotes health and dignity for all? It is crucial to remove barriers—legal, financial, or social—to ensure no one is left behind.
Ending AIDS encapsulates more than a public health ambition; it reaffirms our collective humanity. Choosing compassion and justice can guide us towards a world where the epidemic is not just a statistic, but a history we can overcome together.
The article discusses the importance of grounding the HIV response in human rights, highlighting the stigma and laws that hinder progress. It presents alarming statistics on the current state of HIV, particularly among key populations, and emphasises the need for legal reforms and funding. The author argues for compassion and justice in policy-making to truly end the AIDS epidemic.
The fight against AIDS must hinge on human rights, necessitating robust political will, legal changes, and financial investment. By dismantling discriminatory laws, integrating HIV services into primary care, and ensuring access to prevention and treatment for everyone—especially those most affected—we reaffirm our shared humanity. This effort calls for immediate, bold action rather than gradual change, aiming to end the epidemic for all rather than a select few.
Original Source: codeblue.galencentre.org
