We are asking for some immediate action in advance of a major UN meeting, the UN General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) Review meeting on HIV/AIDS taking place in New York on 31 May - 2 June.

The outcome of the meeting will have an impact on the lives of millions of peope globally. We want to use as many avenues as possible to exert pressure on governments to support a human rights-based approach to the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Action!
We have prepared a sample letter for members to use which summarizes Amnesty InternationaI's concerns and an external Action on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights (ACT 75/005/2006, May 2006) which contains recommendations that we are asking you to send to your National Minister of Health as soon as possible and definitely before 30 May 2006.

Sample Letter

Dear [name ]

From 31 May-2 June you or a representative from your government will be attending a crucial High Level Meeting on AIDS at UN General Assembly in New York. At this meeting, governments will assess their progress on the commitments made and targets set on HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support, in the Declaration of Commitment adopted at the 2001 United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on HIV/AIDS.

Amnesty International's research on HIV/AIDS and human rights has highlighted the fundamental link between HIV/AIDS and human rights. Violations of human rights increase people's risk of HIV infection. It is often those whose human rights are violated - the poor, the most marginalised and women, who face an increased social vulnerability to HIV/AIDS. People affected by and living with HIV/AIDS often face further violations of their human rights, including discrimination within society, including at work, in accessing treatment, care and support services.

Amnesty International is calling on all governments to recommit to a human rights-based approach in the fight against HIV/AIDS at the UNGASS Review meeting. To that end, we are sending you our Action on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights, highlighting some of the different ways in which human rights are critical to successful fight against HIV/AIDS. Amnesty International urges you to ensure, through your actions and deliberations at the High Level Meeting in New York, that a human rights approach is at the centre of the endeavours to ensure universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support.

Yours sincerely....

********

Send this page to a friend

Your Email:
Friend's Email:
Add a Message:
Security code: (case sensitive)