Feature story

HIV, Health and Human Rights: The Legacy of Jonathan Mann Today

24 November 2008

20081124_jonathan_mann_200.jpgJonathan Mann was a visionary physician, advocate and scientist who highlighted the critical links between human rights and public health.
A celebration in honour of Jonathan Mann and the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Today a public event in celebration of Jonathan Mann and his legacy on HIV, health, and human rights is being held at UNAIDS Secretariat, Geneva. The event, co-hosted by UNAIDS, the World Health Organization and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, also marks the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Jonathan Mann was a visionary physician, advocate and scientist who highlighted the critical links between human rights and public health. The enduring relevance of Jonathan’s work is clear—the protection and promotion of human rights is needed now more than ever in the response to AIDS. Stigma and discrimination remain major barriers to achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. Gender-based violence puts women and girls at risk of HIV infection. Punitive laws keep sex workers, men who have sex with men, people who use drugs and other key populations from accessing the HIV-related programmes and services they need. Panellists will address Jonathan’s legacy, as well as the challenges today and in the years to come in HIV, health and human rights.

Watch this event live online from 17:00 to 20:00 (CET)