The role of Parliaments in advocating and enforcing observance of human rights in the strategies for the prevention,

management and treatment of the HIV/AIDS pandemic

 

                                   

Dan MIHALACHE

Member of the Chamber of Deputies

Inter-Parliamentary Group of ROMANIA

 

 

 

Madam President, 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

At the outset, allow me to express my appreciation for the documents prepared by our distinguished rapporteurs. The Romanian delegation fully endorses the draft resolution before us.

Human rights protection and promotion are central for an effective response to HIV/AIDS. Romania has taken important steps to integrate the human rights dimension in the relevant national legislation and strategies.

 

According to the law - enacted by our Parliament in 2002 - for the prevention of the spread of HIV/AIDS and the protection of people living with HIV/AIDS, these persons enjoy social protection and a non-discriminatory treatment in terms of their rights to education, work, social protection of labour and professional promotion, and their health status shall not serve as ground for dismissal.

 

The national strategy for the monitoring, control and the prevention of HIV/AIDS infection, for the period 2004-2007, based on this law, is built around a set of core principles, including the guaranteeing of the rights of people living with or at risk of HIV/AIDS, in conformity with the national legislation and the international instruments Romania is party to.

 

Concrete steps are envisaged to ensure universal access for the young people enrolled in schools to relevant information aimed at preventing stigma and related discrimination, and to encourage the involvement of mass media in the promotion and protection of the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS.

 

 

 

Coming back to the draft resolution to be adopted by our Committee, I would like to draw your attention on some of our proposals.

 

Firstly, it is important to highlight the disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS on children, women and young people, and the fact that an effective response to this pandemic, particularly in terms of human rights, requires special approaches for each one of these vulnerable groups.

 

Secondly, we need to emphasize that HIV/AIDS pandemic has become a risk to stability and security, recognised as such five years ago by the UN Security Council, while very recently the UN High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change placed infectious diseases among the economic and social threats to international security.

 

Thirdly, as far as parliamentary action is concerned, there are some key-areas where Parliaments can play a major role: the adequate allocation of budgetary funds for national policies and programmes for HIV/AIDS response, and the monitoring of their efficient and transparent use; the promotion of a country-level coordination of resources for the HIV/AIDS response.

 

Finally, Parliaments need to share the relevant experiences, information and best practices, as a means to enhance their contribution to a HIV/AIDS response that is respectful of human rights and the fundamental freedoms.

   

Thank you.