May 26, 2011 - The Global Network of People living with HIV (GNP+) is calling on the
G8 countries to fulfill their commitments to universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support; and to counter stigma, discrimination and other HIV
related human rights violations against people living with HIV. GNP+ calls on the G8 to take responsible leadership by intensifying
their HIV response efforts and set the tone for the United Nations High Level Meeting on AIDS, June 8-10.
Two weeks prior to United Nations High Level Meeting on HIV in New York, the G8 countries; Canada, France,
Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, United Kingdom, and United States, are meeting in Deauville, France on May 26-27. GNP+ acknowledges
and commends the considerable contributions made by the G8 countries unilaterally and jointly, to increase access to HIV
treatment, prevention, care and support. They are amongst the most important contributors to the Global Fund to fight
AIDS, TB and Malaria. However, the G8 contributions have been lagging behind, threatening gains made in slowing down the HIV epidemic.
Realizing Universal Access and the effects of treatment on prevention
30 years into the epidemic, there is now evidence showing that early initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) not only has
increased health benefits for HIV positive people, but also has significant effects on preventing HIV transmission. The HIV Prevention
Trials Network (HPTN) 052 study results released in May 2011 confirmed what UNAIDS epidemiological figures were suggesting and the
experiences of people living with HIV in sero-different relationships. The study showed a 96% reduction in risk of HIV
transmission upon initiating HIV treatment when CD4 cell counts are between 350 - 550.
GNP+ welcomes these findings and urges the G8 to support the WHO in issuing appropriate and timely guidance for country action.
It is critical, however, to understand that the public health benefits of treatment on preventing new HIV infections can only be realized
where human rights are respected and if programmes are implemented in ways that respect the values and principles of Positive Health,
Dignity and Prevention.
Kevin Moody, International Coordinator and CEO of GNP+, states: "While the health and well-being of people living with
HIV should be central in the use and promotion of HIV treatment, GNP+ welcomes treatment's preventative benefits. Within the context
of limited resources, these benefits should focus the G8 to see treatment as an investment in prevention. Increasing availability
of treatment will reduce long-term demand on health services. This has important implications for universal access to treatment
because it lowers the long-term cost of treatment rollout and scale-up."
Stigma, discrimination and HIV related human rights violations
Universal access to treatment, prevention, care and support cannot be achieved in an environment of stigma and
marginalisation, nor where programmes are beset by potential human rights violations - such as forced or uninformed testing or
coerced initiation of ART primarily for the benefit of public health rather than the health and well-being of the individual.
Networks of people living with HIV in the past few years have been collecting evidence on HIV related human rights violations worldwide. For example:
GNP+ call for the G8 countries to:
- Increase efforts to achieve universal access to treatment, prevention, care and support;
- Continue funding the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria.
- Support with policies and resources the development and implementation of guidelines for treatment and prevention;
- Leadership in pushing pharmaceutical companies to drop prices for HIV treatment;
- Refrain from Free Trade Agreements limiting the flexibilities of TRIPS for the production and distribution of generic HIV treatment;
- Fulfill their commitment to counter any form of stigma, discrimination, and human rights violations and promote the rights of persons with disabilities and the elimination of travel restrictions on people living with HIV;
- Commit to country level HIV responses that are evidence based and transparent and accountable to those most affected by HIV;
- Recognize and respond to the needs of key affected populations, in particular men who have sex with men, drug users, sex workers, and transgender people, and including young people and women.
The Global Network of People living with HIV (GNP+) is a global network for and by people living with HIV. GNP+ advocates to improve the quality of life of people living with HIV. The central theme for the work of GNP+ is Reclaiming
Our Lives! GNP+ programmes are organised under four platforms of action: Empowerment; Positive Health, Dignity and Prevention; Human Rights; and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.
More information about this news release: Please contact GNP+ (Martin Stolk, Communications officer, by email mstolk@gnpplus.net, or phone +31-20-423 4114 )
Additional information
For GNP+'s advocacy on Positive Health, Dignity and Prevention and on New Prevention Technologies, please see: www.gnpplus.net/en/programmes/positive-health-dignity-and-prevention
Evidence gathered by networks of people living with HIV:
[i] Vital Voices: Consultations with People living with HIV on PMTCT http://www.gnpplus.net/en/resources/positive-health-digity-and-prevention/item/100-consultations-with-people-living-with-hiv-on-pmtct
[ii] Human Rights Count! reports can be found on this web page: http://www.gnpplus.net/en/programmes/human-rights/human-rights-count
(iii)
HIV related Stigma: Late testing, late treatment: http://www.gnpplus.net/en/resources/human-rights-and-stigma/item/101-hiv-related-stigma-late-testing-late-treatment
(iv)
SRHR Research: HIV-discordant couples in the Abuja Area, Nigeria: http://www.gnpplus.net/images/stories/SRHR/Nigerian_SRHR_Country_
Assessment_2009_-_Web_Version.pdf
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Contact:
Martin Stolk, Communications Officer
mstolk@gnpplus.net
"Reproduced with permission - Global Network of People living with HIV (GNP+"
Global Network of People living with HIV (GNP+
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