艾滋病毒/艾滋病与人权
人权高专办与健康权
More than four decades after the first clinical evidence of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome was reported, AIDS remains one of the most devastating diseases humankind has ever faced.
Since the epidemic began, over 88 million people have been infected with the virus, and more than 42 million people have died from HIV-related causes. HIV continues to be a significant driver of global morbidity and mortality, with disproportionate impacts in low- and middle-income countries
About HIV/AIDS and human rights
Human rights are not only essential for an effective response to HIV/AIDS – they are the foundation upon which any lasting progress must be built. As United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk stated emphasized in his statement at the 2024 launch of the UNAIDS World AIDS Day Report, “To protect everyone’s health, we need to protect everyone’s human rights.”
Efforts to combat HIV/AIDS should be anchored in the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health and rooted in the principle of non-discrimination. Measures should include provisions of qualitative health services to be available, accessible, and acceptable. Inclusion of underlying determinants of health such as safe housing, access to clean water, education, and freedom from violence, must be ensured as key components of the right to health that are essential for the success of efforts to prevent and treat HIV globally.
Stigma, discrimination, criminalization, and inequality continue to obstruct access to life-saving prevention, treatment, and care, particularly for marginalized groups. The impact of human rights violations on HIV/AIDS is far reaching. They compound vulnerability, fuel transmission, and erode the health and dignity of millions. The link between HIV/AIDS and human rights is most visible in the disproportionate impact of the disease on key populations, including women and girls, LGBTQI+ persons, people who use drugs, sex workers, migrants, and those living in poverty. Criminalization of same-sex relationships, gender-based violence, and the marginalization of civil society organizations continue to create dangerous barriers to care.
The burden of the epidemic falls heaviest on low- and middle-income countries, where HIV threatens to reverse vital gains in health and human development. In many contexts, HIV/AIDS and poverty are now mutually reinforcing negative forces that compound inequality, limit opportunity, and undermine progress.
HIV/AIDS is a vital aspect of OHCHR’s work on the right to health. Universal health coverage, access to essential medicines, vaccines, and other health products, and mental health are other thematic priorities of the Office that are deeply interconnected with the HIV response.
Global commitments, exemplified by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, aim to end HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. The path to achieving this lies not only in science and funding, but in the full realization of the rights of all people, especially those most at risk. As High Commissioner Turk underscored in his statement: “Put simply, to end AIDS, we need to uphold our universal rights.”
OHCHR’s work on HIV/AIDS
Since 1989, we contribute to an effective and sustainable response to the epidemic anchored in human rights by:
- Raising awareness and understanding of the human rights dimensions of HIV/AIDS;
- Working with stakeholders, United Nations bodies, agencies, funds, and programmes, treaty bodies, special procedure mandate holders, national human rights institutions, civil society and the private sector to promote policy coherence in the areas of human rights;
- Promoting equitable access to essential HIV prevention and treatment through our work on access to medicines, vaccines, and other health products;
- Strengthening capacities to address HIV/AIDS-related human rights issues at national and international levels;
- Working in close collaboration with UNAIDS towards the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of HIV/AIDS (see the handbook for national institutions on the links between respect for human rights and the fight against HIV and AIDS);
- Providing the UN Human Rights Council, and its predecessor with support on the issue of HIV/AIDS, including preparation of reports of the High Commissioner to the Council on measures taken by member States towards implementation of provisions contained in HIV/AIDS-related resolutions;
- Preparing the Secretary-General's reports on the protection of human rights in the context of HIV and AIDS.
By supporting the work of the UN Human Rights Council and its special rapporteurs, the UN treaty bodies, the Universal Periodic Review, and national human rights institutions, as well as promoting mainstreaming across the broader UN system, we help ensure that human rights are integrated into the global response to HIV/AIDS and across the work of UN agencies and programmes.
Recent and Ongoing Work
Report on sustainable HIV response with regard to the human rights of persons living with, at risk of or affected by HIV to the 60th Session of the Human Rights Council (postponed as per HRC decision 59/115)
HRC resolution 56/20 requested OHCHR to prepare a report on sustainable HIV response with regard to the human rights of persons living with, at risk of, or affected by HIV. It will be presented to the Human Rights Council.
Panel Discussion: Realization of Human Rights in Sustaining the Gains Made in the HIV Response:
Human Rights Council, 6 March 2025 | Palais des Nations, Geneva
Watch the broadcast on UN Web TV
The Panel Discussion, organized on 6 March 2025, reaffirmed that the fight against HIV means concerns for human rights, health and justice. The discussion emphasized the need for increased political commitment and funding for global, national and local efforts in the HIV response. It called for a holistic approach that integrates HIV care into broader health and social systems. The discussion also highlighted the needs for the urgent removal of legal and social barriers to HIV services, systemic inequalities, stigma, and discrimination, with a focus on eliminating punitive laws, strengthening protections for women and girls and other groups experiencing marginalization, and ensuring meaningful community engagements. The panel discussion informs the preparation of the High Commissioner’s Report on HIV, scheduled for presentation to the sixtieth session of the Human Rights Council, September 2025.
A/HRC/RES/56/20: Human rights in the context of HIV and AIDS - Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council on 12 July 2024: Resolution renewing the Human Rights Council’s mandate on HIV and AIDS, urging States to eliminate rights-based barriers to prevention, treatment, and care, and requesting reports and a panel discussion to guide a sustainable, inclusive HIV response.
High Commissioner Turk spoke at the launch of the UNAIDS World AIDS Day Report 2024 in Geneva, where he stressed that “To protect everyone’s health, protect everyone’s human rights.”
See also the July 2024 joint statement of the High Commissioner and the UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima on Decriminalization of LGBTQ+ people saves lives.
Human Rights Council
On human rights in the context of HIV and AIDS, OHCHR supports the work of the Human Rights Council, importantly with emphasis on breaking the cycles of HIV/AIDS from a human rights perspective and ensuring that all people receive adequate HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care and continuous support. The resolutions adopted by the Council on the topic of HIV/AIDS have requested the Office - to prepare and organize thematic discussions, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights - to present Reports, including by undertaking analytical studies, incorporating inputs and consultations. This section also includes key resolutions and reports issued prior to the establishment of the Human Rights Council in 2006, which form part of the foundational human rights response to HIV and AIDS.
Resolutions:
- The protection of human rights in the context of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS): A/HRC/RES/56/20 (2024), A/HRC/RES/50/13 (2022), A/HRC/RES/47/14 (2021), A/HRC/RES/38/8 (2018), A/HRC/RES/36/13 (2017), A/HRC/RES/32/15 (2016), A/HRC/RES/30/8 (2015), A/HRC/RES/16/28 (2011), A/HRC/RES/12/27 (2009), E/CN.4/RES/2005/84 (2005), E/CN.4/RES/2003/47 (2003), E/CN.4/RES/2001/51 (2001)
- The right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health: A/HRC/RES/51/21 (2022), A/HRC/RES/42/16 (2019), A/HRC/RES/35/23 (2017), A/HRC/RES/33/9 (2016), A/HRC/RES/24/6 (2013), A/HRC/RES/15/22 (2010), A/HRC/RES/6/29 (2007), E/CN.4/RES/2004/27 (2004), A/HRC/RES/2002/31 (2002)
- Access to medicine in the context of the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health: A/HRC/RES/50/13 (2022), A/HRC/RES/41/10 (2019), A/HRC/RES/32/15 (2016), A/HRC/RES/23/14 (2013), A/HRC/RES/17/14 (2011), A/HRC/RES/12/24 (2009).
- Access to medication in the context of pandemics such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria: A/HRC/DEC/2/107 (2007), E/CN.4/RES/2005/23 (2005), E/CN.4/RES/2004/26 (2004), E/CN.4/RES/2003/29 (2003)
- Rights of the child: E/CN.4/RES/2004/48
Reports:
- Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on Human rights and HIV/AIDS - A/HRC/50/53 (2022)
- Report of the 2019 consultation on human rights in the HIV response - A/HRC/41/27 (2019)
- Summary of the HRC panel discussion on the progress in and challenges of addressing human rights issues in the context of efforts to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2030 - A/HRC/32/25(2016)
- Report of the High Commissioner on the protection of human rights in the context of HIV and AIDS A/HRC/19/37 (2011)
- Report of the Secretary-General on the protection of human rights in the context of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS): A/HRC/16/69 (2010), A/HRC/10/47 (2009), A/HRC/4/110 (2007) and E/CN.4/2003/81
- Report of the Secretary-General on access to medication in the context of pandemics, such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria: A/HRC/7/30, E/CN.4/2006/39, E/CN.4/2005/38, E/CN.4/2004/39 and E/CN.4/2003/48
- Report of the Secretary-General on the steps taken to promote and implement the guidelines on HIV/AIDS: E/CN.4/2005/79
Guidance and Resources
Handbook on HIV and Human Rights for National Human Rights Institutions (published jointly with UNAIDS)
Denying Entry, Stay and Residence Due to HIV Status: Ten Things You Need to Know (Third edition, June 2009)
PDF: English, Français, Español, русский
The International Guidelines on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights (2006 Consolidated version)
10 Key Points on HIV/AIDS and the Protection of Refugees, IDPs and Other Persons of Concern (UNHCR)
HIV/AIDS: Stand Up for Human Rights (cartoon booklet, published jointly with UNAIDS and WHO)
Additional Background Documents
General Assembly
- Ensuring an equitable response to end the AIDS pandemic and accelerate progress for global health and the Sustainable Development Goals: report of the Secretary-General - A/77/877 (2023)
- Tackling Inequalities to End the AIDS Pandemic: Report of the Secretary General – A/76/783 (2022)
- Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS: Ending Inequalities and Getting on Track to End AIDS by 2030 - A/75/284 (2021)
- Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS: On the Fast Track to Accelerating the Fight against HIV and to Ending the AIDS Epidemic by 2030 - A/RES/70/266 (2016)
- Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development A/RES/70/1 (2015)
- 2011 Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS: Intensifying our Efforts to Eliminate HIV/AIDS
- UNGASS Declaration of Commitment
- Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS
Security Council
- Resolution 1983 (2011): HIV and peacekeeping - S/RES/1983 (2011)
- Resolution 1308 (2000): HIV/AIDS and peacekeeping - S/RES/1308 (2000)
- Resolution 1460 (2003): Children in armed conflict - S/RES/1460 (2003)
Treaty bodies
- CESCR
- General comment No. 22 (2016) on the right to sexual and reproductive health (article 12 of the ICESCR) -E/C.12/GC/22
- General Comment no. 20 (2009) - Non-discrimination in Economic, Social and Cultural Rights - E/C.12/GC/20
- CEDAW
- General recommendation No. 39 (2022) on the rights of Indigenous women and girls - CEDAW/C/GC/39
- General recommendation No. 37 (2018) on the gender-related dimensions of disaster risk reduction in the context of climate change - CEDAW/C/GC/37
- General recommendation No. 35 (2017) on gender-based violence against women, updating general recommendation No. 19 -CEDAW/C/CG/35
- General recommendation No. 30 (2013) on women in conflict prevention, conflict and post-conflict situations - CEDAW/C/GC/30
- General recommendation No. 27 (2010) on older women and protection of their human rights - CEDAW/C/GC/27
- General Recommendation no. 15 (1990) - Women and AIDS
- CRC
- General comment No. 21 (2017) on children in street situations - CRC/C/GC/21
- General comment No. 20 (2016) on the implementation of the rights of the child during adolescence - CRC/C/GC/20
- General comment No. 15 (2013) on the right of the child to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health (art. 24) - CRC/C/GC/15
- General Comment no. 3 (2003) - HIV/AIDS and the Rights of the Child - CRC/GC/2003/3
- General Comment no. 4 (2003) - Adolescent Health - CRC/GC/2003/4
- CERD
- General recommendation No. 37 (2024) on equality and freedom from racial discrimination in the enjoyment of the right to health - CERD/C/GC/37
- CRPD
- General comment No. 3 (2016) on women and girls with disabilities - CRPD/C/GC/3
- CMW
- CMW General Comment No. 1 on Migrant Domestic Workers – CMW/C/GC/1
Special procedures reports:
- Report of the Special Rapporteur on Harm reduction for sustainable peace and development: A/79/177 (2024)
- Report of the Special Rapporteur on Drug use, harm reduction and the right to health: A/HRC/56/52 (2024)
- Report of the Special Rapporteur on Digital innovation, technologies and the right to health: A/77/197 (2023)
- Report by the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health - Racism and the right to health: A/HRC/50/28 (2022)
- Sexual and reproductive health rights: challenges and opportunities during COVID-19: A/76/172 (2021)
- Report to the General Assembly (main focus: effective and full implementation of the right to health framework, including justiciability of ESCR and the right to health; the progressive realisation of the right to health; the accountability deficit of transnational corporations; and the current system of international investment agreements and the investor-State dispute settlement): A/69/299 (2014)
- Report of the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health (the right to health and international drug control, compulsory treatment for drug dependence and access to controlled medicines): A/65/255 (2011)
- Report of the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health (right to health and criminalization of same-sex conduct and sexual orientation, sex-work and HIV transmission): A/HRC/14/20 (2010)
- Report of the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health (right to health and informed consent): A/64/272 (2010)
- Report of the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health (right to health in the context of access to medicines and intellectual property rights): A/HRC/11/12 (2009)
- Situation of human rights in Haiti : report of the independent expert (IV.F. Cooperation and efforts to combat HIV/AIDS): E/CN.4/2004/108 (2004)
- Report of the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health: E/CN.4/2004/49 (2004)
- Report of the Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression (III.B. Access to information for the purposes of education on, and prevention of, HIV): E/CN.4/2003/67 (2003)
Commission on the Status of Women:
- Women, the girl child, and HIV and AIDS: Report of the Secretary General, E/CN.6/2022/7 (2021)
- On Women, the Girl Child and HIV Resolution 60/2 (2016)
- Report of the Secretary-General on Women, the girl child, and HIV and AIDS: E/CN.6/2011/7 (2011)
- On Women, the girl child and HIV/AIDS: Resolution 50/2, Resolution 55/2
- On Women, the girl child and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS): Resolution 47/1 (2003)
Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC):
- Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS - E/RES/2023/30 (2023)
- Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS - E/RES/2021/26 (2021)
- Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS - E/RES/2015/2 (2015)
ILO:
世界首例获得性免疫缺陷综合征(艾滋病)被诊断出距今已超过40年,艾滋病仍然是人类面临的最严重的疾病之一。
自从其大流行以来,已有超过六千万人感染了艾滋病毒,近三千万人死于与艾滋病毒相关的原因。艾滋病是全球第六大致死原因。
关于艾滋病毒/艾滋病与人权
人权与全球艾滋病的传播及其影响都有着千丝万缕的联系。缺乏对人权的尊重助长了艾滋病的传播并加剧其影响,而艾滋病也同时阻碍了人权的实现进程。这种联系明显地表现为艾滋病在一些群体中不成比例的发病率和传播。根据疫情的性质和主要社会、法律和经济状况,这些群体主要包括妇女和儿童,尤其是生活在贫困中的群体等。另外,可以明显地观察到:如今艾滋病疫情的巨大负担由发展中国家承担,对人类发展的主要成就造成了巨大威胁。在现今的许多发展中国家,艾滋病与贫困已成为彼此助长的负面力量。
人权高专办在艾滋病毒/艾滋病方面的工作
自1999年以来,我们一直努力通过以下方式为有效和可持续地应对这一流行病做出贡献:
- 提高对艾滋病毒/艾滋病人权方面的认识和理解;
- 加强在国家和国际一级处理与艾滋病毒/艾滋病有关的人权问题的能力;
- 与联合国艾滋病规划署密切合作,在艾滋病毒/艾滋病方面促进和保护人权(见关于尊重人权与防治艾滋病毒和艾滋病之间联系的《为国家人权机构编写的艾滋病毒与人权手册》);
- 在艾滋病毒/艾滋病问题上向联合国人权理事会提供支持,包括编写秘书长向理事会提交的关于成员国为执行艾滋病毒/艾滋病相关决议所载规定而采取措施的报告;
- 准备秘书长关于在涉及艾滋病毒和艾滋病的情况下保护人权的报告。
人权高专办已经在实现上述目标上取得了进展,特别是通过支持人权理事会及其特别报告员、各条约机构、普遍定期审议及国家人权机构的工作,以及将相关问题纳入更广泛的联合国系统内。我们还促进了将人权观点纳入其他联合国机构和方案的工作。
最新报告
A/HRC/41/27:2019年艾滋病毒应对措施中的人权问题磋商报告
A/HRC/32/25:2016年人权理事会关于在2030年前解决人权问题以消灭艾滋病毒/艾滋病的进展和挑战的小组讨论报告
出版物和文件
《为国家人权机构编写的艾滋病与人权手册》(与联合国艾滋病规划署联合出版)
禁止艾滋病毒感染者入境、逗留和居住你需要知道的十件事(第三版,2009年6月)
PDF格式:English | Français | Español | русский
《艾滋病毒/艾滋病与人权问题国际准则》(2006年合订本)
秘书长关于在人类免疫缺陷病毒(艾滋病毒)和获得性免疫缺陷综合征(艾滋病)背景下保护人权的报告(A/HRC/16/69)
关于艾滋病毒/艾滋病和保护难民、境内流离失所者和其他受关注人员的10项要点(难民署)
艾滋病毒/艾滋病:挺身而出,维护人权(卡通手册,与艾滋病署和世卫组织联合出版)
联合国大会
安全理事会
- 第1983(2011)号决议:艾滋病毒和国际维持和平行动S/RES/1983 (2011)
- 第1308(2000)号决议:艾滋病毒/艾滋病和国际维持和平行动S/RES/1308
- 第1460(2003)号决议:武装冲突中的儿童S/RES/1460 (2003)
条约机构
- 第20(2009)号一般性意见:经济、社会及文化权利中的不歧视E/C.12/GC/20
- 第3(2003)号一般性意见:艾滋病/艾滋病毒和儿童权利CRC/GC/2003/3
- 第4(2003)号一般性意见:少年健康CRC/GC/2003/4
- 第15(1990)号一般性意见:妇女与艾滋病
人权理事会报告:
- 高级专员关于在艾滋病毒和艾滋病背景下保护人权的报告A/HRC/19/37(2011年)
- 秘书长关于在人类免疫缺陷病毒(艾滋病毒)和获得性免疫缺陷综合征(艾滋病)背景下保护人权的报告:A/HRC/16/69,A/HRC/10/47,A/HRC/4/110和E/CN.4/2003/81
- 秘书长关于在艾滋病毒/艾滋病、结核病和疟疾等大流行病的背景下获取药物的报告:A/HRC/7/30,E/CN.4/2006/39,E/CN.4/2005/38,E/CN.4/2004/39和E/CN.4/2003/48
- 秘书长关于采取步骤以促进和落实艾滋病毒/艾滋病指导方针的报告:E/CN.4/2005/79
决议和决定:
- 在人类免疫缺陷病毒(艾滋病毒)和获得性免疫缺陷综合征(艾滋病)背景下保护人权:E/CN.4/RES/2005/84,E/CN.4/RES/2003/47,E/CN.4/RES/2001/51,A/HRC/RES/12/27,A/HRC/RES/16/28
- 人人享有能达到的最高标准身心健康的权利:E/CN.4/RES/2004/27,A/HRC/RES/15/22
- 在人人享有能达到的最高标准身心健康的权利的背景下获取药物:A/HRC/RES/12/24,A/HRC/RES/17/14
- 在艾滋病毒/艾滋病、结核病和疟疾等大流行病的背景下获取药物:A/HRC/DEC/2/107
- 在艾滋病毒/艾滋病、结核病和疟疾等大流行病的背景下获取药物:E/CN.4/RES/2005/23,E/CN.4/RES/2004/26,E/CN.4/RES/2003/29
- 儿童权利:E/CN.4/RES/2004/48
特别程序报告:
- 人人有权享有能达到的最高标准身心健康特别报告员的报告(健康权和国际药物管制、强制治疗药物依赖和获取受管制药物)A/65/255
- 人人有权享有能达到的最高标准身心健康特别报告员的报告(健康权和将同性性行为和性取向以刑事罪论处、性工作和艾滋病毒传播):A/HRC/14/20
- 人人有权享有能达到的最高标准身心健康特别报告员的报告(健康权和知情同意)A/64/272
- 人人有权享有能达到的最高标准身心健康特别报告员的报告(在获取药物和知识产权保护背景下的健康权)A/HRC/11/12
- 酷刑和其他残忍、不人道或有辱人格的待遇或处罚特别报告员的报告(在药物政策中适用以人权为本的做法):A/HRC/10/44
- 海地人权状况:独立专家的报告((四)F. 防治艾滋病毒/艾滋病的合作与努力)E/CN.4/2004/108
- 人人有权享有能达到的最高标准身心健康特别报告员的报告E/CN.4/2004/49
- 意见和表达自由权特别报告员报告((三)B. 为艾滋病毒教育和预防目的获取信息):E/CN.4/2003/67
- 买卖儿童、儿童卖淫和儿童色情制品问题特别报告员提交的报告:南非特派团:E/CN.4/2003/79/Add.1
妇女地位委员会:
- 秘书长报告秘书长关于妇女、女童与艾滋病毒和艾滋病的报告E/CN.6/2011/7
- 妇女、女童与艾滋病毒和艾滋病:第50/2号决议,第55/2号决议
- 妇女、女童与人体免疫缺陷病毒/获得性免疫缺陷综合征(艾滋病毒/艾滋病):第43/1(2003)号决议