HRC 19TH SESSION: Panel discussion to take place on HIV and AIDS

Summary: On 20 March, a panel discussion will be held to give voice to people living with, and affected by HIV and AIDS, including young people.

In resolution 16/28, the Human Rights Council decided to hold a panel discussion at its 19th session, "to give voice to people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS, in particular, young people, women and orphaned children, with a view to taking into account their experiences in reinforcing the centrality of human rights in the response to HIV/AIDS, in the context of the timely achievement of Millennium Development Goal 6 and in compliance with the Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS and the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS".

Speakers

• Chair: H.E. Ms. Laura Dupuy Lasserre, President of the Human Rights Council (TBC)
• Opening Statement: Ms. Navi Pillay, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

• Moderator: H.E. Adv. Bience Philomina Gawanas, Commissioner for Social Affairs African Union and Commissioner of the Global Commission on HIV and Law (TBC)

Panellists:

• Mr. Michel Sidibé, Executive Director, United Nations Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (TBC)
• Nontobeko Dlamini (Swaziland)
• Nick Rhoades (United States)
• Moysés Toniolo (Brazil)
• Dmytro Sherembey (Ukraine) - TBC

Outcome

This panel discussion will provide a platform for affected populations, experts and leaders on HIV and human rights to: (i) discuss and bring to light the experiences of individuals and communities living and affected by HIV and AIDS; and (ii) offer concrete proposals to transform the future global HIV response by addressing deep seated forms of stigma and discrimination and challenges to comprehensive HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.