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services are focused on equal access for vulnerable groups. Referring to its policy of universal
health coverage, the Government stresses that every citizen has the right to antiretroviral
treatment and social welfare. Children affected by HIV and AIDS benefit from a continuous
process in follow-up and social support, and a preventive mother-to-child transmission
programme has been developed. The strategy of the next National AIDS Plan will include
management, implementation, human rights protection, monitoring, evaluation and research,
which will be incorporated into all relevant partner organizations at national, provincial and
community levels. Laws, policies and practices that still discriminate against people with HIV,
or that violate their rights, will be reviewed in the light of human rights guarantees.
17.
The contribution of the Government of Turkey referred to the country’s universal access
to primary health care in respect of HIV and sexually transmitted diseases. The third National
Strategic AIDS Action Plan, adopted in June 2006, addresses mother-to-child transmission; life
skills-based education for youth; substance addiction; and increased access to HIV/AIDS health
services by groups at risk. These groups, including sex workers, injecting drug users, men who
have sex with men and individuals in detention, are the focus of an HIV/AIDS prevention and
support programme which aims at addressing HIV/AIDS from a human rights perspective,
including the establishment of a legal framework for addressing the disease. The Government
also stressed the importance of protecting the right to privacy of blood donors in the context of
screening for HIV.
18.
The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela indicated that respect for
human rights lies at the heart of its initiatives in responding to HIV and AIDS. It stressed the
importance it attaches to working with civil society and to fulfilling its commitment under the
General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS (UNGASS) Declaration of Commitment. The
National Strategic Plan for HIV/AIDS deals with prevention, treatment and management of the
disease. The larger part of Venezuela’s expanding budget for HIV and AIDS is committed to the
universal and free provision of antiretroviral therapy, which to date includes over 500 children.
Large-scale prevention campaigns include specific themes focused on vulnerable groups, such as
youth and pregnant women. One programme focused on adolescents, is implemented through
the school system and involves awareness-raising among students and parents, as well as training
of teachers. The first stage of this programme reached over 270,000 students. A publication on
HIV and human rights has been widely distributed in the country.
19.
In its contribution, the Observer for the Holy See stressed that it does not recognize in
resolution 2005/84 of the Commission on Human Rights, any attempt to promote the legalization
of abortion or the use of drugs; to decriminalize prostitution; or to promote recognition of
marriage as any other union than between a man and a woman. The contribution set out details
of programmes undertaken or supported by the Roman Catholic Church, in particular in support
of: universal access to treatment, care and support; fighting stigma and discrimination;
promoting social reintegration; addressing the particular burden of the HIV pandemic on women
and girls, and youth. The contribution of the Holy See referred to sexual abstinence and fidelity
within marriage as effective HIV prevention strategies.
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