UNAIDS Concerned About HIV Related Arrests In Egypt

Main Category: HIV / AIDS
Article Date: 25 Feb 2008 - 11:00 PDT

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The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS urges all parties concerned in the recent arrests, to understand that HIV infection is a condition that requires appropriate treatment and care. All people living with HIV are entitled to such treatment and care without being discriminated against or criminalized based on their HIV status.

Any HIV testing should be voluntary and with informed consent, accompanied by counselling, and carried out under conditions of confidentiality. UNAIDS is working with the authorities to ensure that people living with HIV receive appropriate treatment and care according to their health needs and that the conditions under which they are treated in hospitals are in accordance with acceptable standards of medical treatment. People living with HIV do not need to be segregated from society or within institutional settings, such as hospitals and prisons. They can and do lead normal and productive lives and they should be supported to do so, with proper treatment and care, and protection from discrimination and violence.

UNAIDS is an innovative joint venture of the United Nations, bringing together the efforts and resources of the UNAIDS Secretariat and ten UN system organizations in the AIDS response. The Secretariat headquarters is in Geneva, Switzerland-with staff on the ground in more than 80 countries. Coherent action on AIDS by the UN system is coordinated in countries through UN theme groups, and joint programmes on AIDS. UNAIDS' Cosponsors include UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank.

http://www.unaids.org