CNDH urges to ensure comprehensive care to people living with HIV

The National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) makes an urgent call to the Federal Secretary of Health, Jorge Carlos Alcocer Varela, -in his capacity as coordinator of the National Health System- to implement immediate actions that guarantee the people who live with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) effective access to comprehensive services in prevention, care and health monitoring.

When commemorating the World Day to Fight AIDS on December 1, the CNDH establishes that the care provided to those living with this health condition must at all times observe respect for human rights, substantive equality, personal freedom, confidentiality, self-determination and autonomy of people. For this reason, it also requests the Secretariats of Public Education, Health and Culture, of the Federal Public Administration, to coordinate to apply study plans and programs aimed at training in issues of comprehensive sexual and reproductive education, which involve aspects such as responsible exercise of sexuality, family planning, responsible motherhood and fatherhood, prevention of adolescent pregnancy, as well as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as HIV, in a scientific way, completely unrelated to any religious doctrine and promoting gender equality for the construction of a just and informed society.

On the other hand, the Commission urges the Legislative Branch to take urgent action in order to prevent criminal and health legislation from foreseeing specific crimes against the deliberate transmission of HIV, since in these exceptional cases criminal figures are applied in general, guaranteeing that the elements of predictability, intentionality, causality and consent are clearly demonstrated when judging people, as established by the International Guidelines on HIV and Human Rights.

More information:
https://www.cndh.org.mx/sites/default/files/documentos/2020-12/COM_2020_362.pdf