OHCHR and the right to health

Issues in focus

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OHCHR and the right to health

Issues in focus

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 1999, 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 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

Upcoming 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 (Sept 2025)

As per HRC resolution 56/20, OHCHR is preparing 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 at its 60th session in September 2025.

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.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk at the Launch of the UNAIDS World AIDS Day Report 2024 – To end AIDS, we need to uphold our universal rights

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.”

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:
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)

Report of the Secretary General on the protection of human rights in the context of HIV and AIDS (A/HRC/16/69)

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
Security Council
Treaty bodies
  • CESCR
    1. General comment No. 22 (2016) on the right to sexual and reproductive health (article 12 of the ICESCR) -E/C.12/GC/22
    2. General Comment no. 20 (2009) - Non-discrimination in Economic, Social and Cultural Rights - E/C.12/GC/20
  • CEDAW
    1. General recommendation No. 39 (2022) on the rights of Indigenous women and girls - CEDAW/C/GC/39
    2. General recommendation No. 37 (2018) on the gender-related dimensions of disaster risk reduction in the context of climate change - CEDAW/C/GC/37
    3. General recommendation No. 35 (2017) on gender-based violence against women, updating general recommendation No. 19 -CEDAW/C/CG/35
    4. General recommendation No. 30 (2013) on women in conflict prevention, conflict and post-conflict situations - CEDAW/C/GC/30
    5. General recommendation No. 27 (2010) on older women and protection of their human rights - CEDAW/C/GC/27
    6. General Recommendation no. 15 (1990) - Women and AIDS
  • CRC
    1. General comment No. 21 (2017) on children in street situations - CRC/C/GC/21
    2. General comment No. 20 (2016) on the implementation of the rights of the child during adolescence - CRC/C/GC/20
    3. 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
    4. General Comment no. 3 (2003) - HIV/AIDS and the Rights of the Child - CRC/GC/2003/3
    5. General Comment no. 4 (2003) - Adolescent Health - CRC/GC/2003/4
  • CERD
    1. 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
    1. General comment No. 3 (2016) on women and girls with disabilities - CRPD/C/GC/3
  • CMW
    1. 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:
Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC):
ILO:

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