Recommendation on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights
We, the participants of the NGO Forum of the 40th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the 14th African Human Rights Book Fair, held at the Paradise Hotel in Banjul , the Gambia from November 12th – 14th , 2006,
Deeply concerned about the escalation in the prevalence rates of HIV/AIDS pandemic in the region especially the Sub-Saharan Africa;
Mindful of the high prevalence rates in Swaziland (33.4%), Zimbabwe (20.1%), Namibia (9.6%), Malawi (14.1%) and Cote d’Ivoire (7.1%);
Further concerned at the low response of governments to the pandemic;
Hereby recommend to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights:
1. To closely police the biannual and annual monitoring of the UNGASS indicators and the Universal Access to Prevention, treatment, care and support roadmap respectively and follow up on heads of governments to negotiate the implementation of the promises they made in the UNGASS Declaration such as creating an enabling environment, strengthening civil societies and protecting the rights of people living with the virus, among others;
2. To put in place a mechanism adequately addressing the gaps in the UNGASS commitment.
Done in Banjul, November 14th, 2006
