Mon Dec 02 06:23:15 UTC 2024: ## UN Warns: Human Rights Key to Ending AIDS Pandemic by 2030

**NEW YORK** – The UN has issued a stark warning on World AIDS Day, stating that while ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 is achievable, it hinges on global leaders prioritizing human rights and dismantling barriers to healthcare access.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the alarming statistic that one in four people living with HIV—over nine million individuals—lack access to life-saving treatment. He emphasized the urgent need for a rights-based approach to HIV prevention and treatment, condemning discriminatory laws and practices that disproportionately affect women, girls, and minorities.

A new report by UNAIDS reveals that 1.3 million people were newly infected with HIV in 2023, three times the target set for 2025. The report underscores the significant role of human rights in achieving equitable access to HIV services and preventing new infections. Gaps in human rights realization and widespread abuses are identified as major obstacles to ending the pandemic.

The report points to significant disparities. Sixty-three countries still criminalize LGBTQ+ people, while gender-based violence and limited educational opportunities leave women and girls particularly vulnerable. Girls account for nine out of ten new HIV infections among 15-19 year olds, reflecting systemic gender inequalities. Access to treatment also lags, particularly among children and adolescents. While 77% of adults living with HIV receive antiretroviral therapy, only 57% of children aged 0-14 and 65% of adolescents aged 15-19 do.

UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima stressed that protecting everyone’s health requires protecting everyone’s rights. The organization urges governments to adopt a human rights-based approach to eliminate the AIDS pandemic. UNICEF Associate Director Anurita Bains highlighted the need to prioritize children and adolescents in resource allocation for treatment and prevention, including the expansion of innovative testing technologies. The UN’s message is clear: achieving the 2030 goal requires a fundamental shift towards respecting and upholding human rights worldwide.

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