Abstract
Since the beginning of the epidemic, the protection of human rights has been an integral component in the response to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The high degree of stigma and discrimination associated with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) has made human rights protection not only a priority to ensure the rights of people living with and at-risk for HIV, but to address public health goals as well. Advances in understanding the impact of antiretroviral treatment on HIV prevention provide exciting opportunities and even a paradigm shift in terms of AIDS prevention. However, this potential cannot be reached unless the advancement of human rights is a primary component of treatment and prevention programme and policy development. The use of antiretroviral treatment as prevention reinforces the value of basic principles related to the dignity and agency of people living with HIV to participate in the design and implementation of programmes, to be informed and to make informed decisions about their health and lives, to be protected from harm, and to have opportunities to seek redress and accountability for abuses. The possibility of using HIV treatment as a prevention tool means that now, more than ever, legal reform and community empowerment and mobilisation are necessary to realize the rights and health of people affected by HIV.
Highlights
In 2001, United Nations (UN) member states agreed to goals that would provide Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) care, treatment and prevention services to all who need them [1]
The Political Declaration recognized that combating HIV/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a precondition to achieving many of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) [4]
Since the beginning of the epidemic, guaranteeing human rights has been an essential aspect of successful HIV/AIDS programmes
Summary
In 2001, United Nations (UN) member states agreed to goals that would provide HIV care, treatment and prevention services to all who need them [1]. This approach seeks to scale up treatment access to provide coverage to all who meet current WHO treatment guidelines and reap the prevention impact as a secondary goal This would provide time for additional research on the potential risks and benefits of earlier initiation of ART as well as time to determine better methods to increase and meet demand for HIV health services. It is a tool that can only be valuable if the conditions are in place to put the information one receives from testing to use Those conditions include the availability of sustained and highquality health-care and prevention services, including ART, along with policies and programmatic approaches that protect people from human rights abuses. 398 Current HIV Research, 2011, Vol 9, No 6 communities are protected and to ensuring the long-term success and sustainability of these programmes
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