UN Days, Weeks and Years > International Days and Weeks

World AIDS Day

AIDS as a Human Rights Issue

Beyond the devastating health effects of HIV/AIDS, many infected individuals also face intense discrimination and other violations of their human rights.   This impact is disproportionately felt in developing countries and vulnerable populations, where human rights are already not fully respected.  Some of the areas in which HIV infected persons are particularly susceptible to experience discrimination include employment, education, health treatment, accommodation, and privacy as to knowledge of an individual’s HIV status.

Many countries, including Canada, have anti-discrimination legislation which persons may use if they feel they have been discriminated against because of their HIV status.  The law is an integral vehicle that can be used to obtain non-discriminatory treatment.  There are many countries without adequate legal recourse to remedy discrimination conduct.  Advocacy groups and lobbyists perform a crucial function in educating the public and policy-makers about appropriate legal and policy reform.

In addition to the existence of anti-discrimination laws, public opinion plays an important part in whether the human rights of persons with HIV are respected.  Changes in public attitude toward persons with HIV and AIDS, especially with regard to care, support and protection are necessary to combat discrimination.  HIV infected persons have the same rights as everyone else.