GENEVA, 3 August 2020—Tlaleng Mofokeng, a South African medical doctor and a women's rights and sexual and reproductive health rights activist, has been appointed as the new United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.
"I congratulate Tlaleng Mofokeng on her appointment as the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health—the first African women to be appointed to this important role," said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. "I know that she will fight for human rights and for everyone, everywhere to be able to get the health care they need. We both share a vision: that health care should not be just for the rich, but a right for all."
Appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health monitors the right to health around the world. The post-holder studies national practices and experiences related to the right to health, identifies trends and challenges in the process and makes recommendations on how to ensure the protection of the right to health. The Special Rapporteur also receives individual complaints of alleged violations of the right to health.
The right to health is a fundamental human right enshrined in international law and countries have basic human rights obligations to respect, protect and fulfil the right to health.
"I look forward to working with Dr Mofokeng," Ms Byanyima added. "Only by ensuring that the right to health is a reality for all will AIDS be ended by 2030."
UNAIDS
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
