HIV infection as a weapon of war

Abstract

The effect of violent conflicts on HIV/AIDS infection is poorly understood. The current epidemiological evidence is complex and suggests that HIV/AIDS prevalence in conflict-affected populations is lower than expected. What is agreed however is that certain groups particularly women and girls are made vulnerable by sexual violence. There has been considerable documentation of the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and it has also been feared that purposeful HIV infection has been used as a weapon of war. A recent human rights commission finding adds further concern to this speculation. The release of the 20th Activity Report of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights on July 11 2006 provided further assertions of HIV infection as a weapon of war. In a communication submitted to the Commission in 1999 the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) transitional government alleged grave and massive violations of human rights committed by the armed forces of Burundi Rwanda and Uganda. Among the allegations were mass murder forced displacement and mass detention of DR Congo nationals. (excerpt)