To end HIV/AIDS, target discrimination and inequalities, Türk says

OHCHR

The HIV/AIDS & COVID-19 pandemics have made it crystal clear: discrimination & inequalities harm public health.

Every policy that discriminates against, stigmatises and criminalises marginalised groups or people living with HIV makes it less likely that they will access testing, treatment & prevention services.

Every crackdown on civil society makes it less likely that people will get the support they need.

People can live long & full lives with HIV. And we can end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

We have effective treatments and prevention strategies.

Now we must ensure that everyone can access them without fear.

Ending AIDS is the absolutely right thing to do, and it’s an investment that benefits everyone.

To make that investment, we need political leadership to root out discrimination & inequalities, and to make sure that community-led organisations can work in a free and open civic space.

For our responses to HIV/AIDS to be effective, they need to be fully grounded in human rights.

The rights of women & girls.

The rights of LGBTIQ+ people.

The rights of people living with HIV/AIDS.

For everyone — regardless of income, race, job or any other characteristics.

To end AIDS, we need to uphold our universal rights.

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