A/HRC/10/47
page 13
C. Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
32. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
continues to address HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support as a human rights
concern. In collaboration with other United Nations agencies and programmes, OHCHR uses the
updated 2006 International Guidelines on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights both as an advocacy
tool and to provide guidance at country level on implementing a rights-based response to the
epidemic. HIV-related issues are also mainstreamed in the work of the treaty monitoring bodies,
the special procedures and the universal periodic review process, where emphasis has been
placed on the human rights protection of people living with HIV, especially vulnerable
populations. A number of joint activities have been undertaken together with UNAIDS,
including the publication of a handbook on HIV and human rights for national human rights
institutions which aims to provide guidance to these institutions on integrating HIV-related
human rights issues into their work. Together with other United Nations partners, OHCHR has
also been engaged in providing technical assistance and promoting the integration of human
rights norms and standards into legislation on HIV.
D. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
33. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has
assumed a lead role in the area of HIV prevention for young people in educational institutions.
UNESCO has adopted a four-pronged approach to supporting an enabling environment for
women, children and other vulnerable populations which includes the right of all children to
access education with particular attention to young girls, orphans and other children affected by
HIV and AIDS; the right of teachers living with HIV to receive appropriate support and to keep
working; the right to confidentiality, non-stigmatizing curricula, and support services in the
education sector; and the right of young people to learn about HIV and AIDS and how they can
protect themselves.
34. The fact that 40 per cent of all new infections in 2007 were amongst young people
aged 15-24 and that only 50 per cent of young people have been educated about HIV prevention,
is of particular concern to UNESCO. In many curricula on HIV and AIDS, reference to sex
education is avoided or greater emphasis is placed on the negative consequences of sex, even
though 75 per cent of all HIV infections occur through sexual transmission. UNESCO
therefore initiated a programme on sex, relationships and HIV/STI education in 2008, which will
result in the formulation of guidelines in this area. UNESCO was also instrumental in the
elaboration of a ministerial declaration adopted in 2008 by Ministers of Education and Health
from Latin America and the Caribbean on comprehensive sex education as part of the school
curriculum in these regions.
E. United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs
35. The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs has stated that the
Economic and Social Council has adopted two resolutions which deal with the HIV-related
human rights of vulnerable populations. One resolution requires Governments to strengthen
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