First Global Parliamentary Meeting on HIV/AIDS

Manila (Philippines), 28-30 November 2007

 

 

Parliaments and Leadership in combating HIV/SIDA

Senator Radu TERINTE

Inter-Parliamentary Group of ROMANIA

                            

 

 

Mr. President, 

Ladies and Gentlemen,    

            

First of all, let me express my appreciation for the documents prepared by the distinguished organizers.

The protection and promotion of human rights are central for an effective response to HIV/AIDS. Romania has taken important steps to integrate the human rights dimension into 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 protection and a non-discriminatory treatment in terms of their rights to education, work and social protection.

 

We have adopted a national strategy in this area, whose main goal is the prevention of HIV transmission, especially among young people and groups with risk behaviors associated with commercial sex or the use of injecting drugs.

 

Starting with 2001, the fight against HIV/AIDS has been declared a public health priority and during the same year the National Plan for Universal Access to HIV/AIDS Treatment and Care was launched.

 

In Romania, 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. This approach responds also to the provisions of the Law on  the protection and promotion of the rights of disabled persons.

 

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 the HIV/AIDS response, and the monitoring of their use, based on criteria of efficiency and transparency; the promotion of a country-level coordination of resources for the HIV/AIDS response. We have in view, in Romania, that the legal framework should be developed and periodically reviewed in order to eliminate legal, institutional and financial barriers limiting the development of programs; at the same time, the national legislation and the instruments for its implementation have to be harmonized with the best European practices and with the WHO and UNAIDS recommendations in the area.

Thank you.