A/HRC/10/47
page 4
Introduction
1.
In its resolution 2005/84, the Commission on Human Rights expressed its concern at the
increasing number of people living with HIV, in particular the situation of women, girls, and
children in general and groups vulnerable to infection and discrimination. The Commission
emphasized the need for intensified efforts to ensure universal respect for and observance of
human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, so as to reduce vulnerability to HIV/AIDS, to
prevent HIV/AIDS-related discrimination and stigma, and to reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS.
To this end, the Commission invited States, United Nations bodies, programmes and specialized
agencies and international and non-governmental organizations to continue to take all necessary
steps to ensure the respect, protection and fulfilment of HIV/AIDS-related human rights, as
contained in the guidelines on HIV/AIDS and human rights,3 and called on States to
implement in full the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS adopted at the twenty-sixth
special session of the General Assembly on HIV/AIDS in 2001.4 The Commission requested the
Secretary-General to solicit comments from Governments, United Nations bodies, programmes
and specialized agencies and international and non-governmental organizations on steps they
have taken to promote and implement, where applicable, programmes to address the urgent
HIV-related human rights of women, children and vulnerable groups in the context of
prevention, care and access to treatment, as described in the guidelines and resolution 2005/84,
and to submit, in consultation with interested parties, a progress report to the Commission
for consideration at its sixty-third session. In accordance with Human Rights Council
decision 2/102, this report is being submitted to the tenth session of the Council.
2.
The present report summarizes replies received from 21 Governments, 9 international
organizations and 8 non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The replies were voluminous and
this report provides only a summary of the information received. The full texts of replies are
available at the secretariat for consultation.
I. CONTRIBUTIONS FROM STATES
3.
The Government of Australia provided information on its National HIV/AIDS Strategy
for 2005-2008 which aims to reduce the number of new infections nationally through health
promotion, harm minimization, education and improved awareness of transmission and trends in
infection; improve the overall health and well-being of people living with HIV through equitable
access to treatments and improved continuum of care in health and human services; reduce
HIV-related discrimination that impacts upon people living with HIV and affected communities
in Australia; and develop and strengthen links with other related national initiatives. Australia
also has a Disability Discrimination Act 1992 that makes it unlawful to discriminate against
persons with disabilities and disability is broadly defined to include people living with HIV and
AIDS. Similarly, the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 provides that it is unlawful for a person or an
organization to discriminate against a person on the basis of sex in a range of areas. Under both
these acts, direct and indirect discrimination is recognized and complaints can be lodged with the
3
E/CN.4/1997/37, annex I.
4
General Assembly resolution S-26/2.
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