United Press International - Wednesday, 27 June 2001
Richard Sale and Rodolfo A. Windhausen

The final text was subject to several revisions and delays due to opposition from conservative Islamic countries, the Catholic Church and various Christian groups, which forced deletion of references to high-risk groups such as gays and prostitutes and to explicit sexual practices that increase the spread of the virus, UN officials said.

The 16-page document urges all countries to protect the rights of people with AIDS and calls for global action against the disease. It is the first declaration of its kind on a major worldwide disease in the U.N.'s history.

The declaration calls for leadership from governments to combat HIV/AIDS with "the full and active participation of civil society, the business community and the private sector."

It also indicates that by 2005, nations should have established effective policies to reduce HIV prevalence among young men and women aged 15 to 24 in the most affected countries by 25 percent, and by 25 percent globally by 2010.

The declaration -- omitting specific references to gays, prostitutes and other high-risk groups -- also states that "the vulnerable should be given priority in the response" to the pandemic, and links any effective response to the protection of human rights.

It also points out that children and orphans affected by HIV/AIDS need special assistance and encourages increased investment and accelerated research to develop vaccines against the disease.

As requested by Secretary-General Kofi Annan and several U.N. agencies, the declaration urges the allocation of $7 to $10 billion annually, in low- and middle-income countries and others areas exposed to a rapid expansion of the pandemic.

The document, which was first presented to delegates at 4:30 a.m. Monday, contains many compromises. There are careful qualifications and an equally careful use of language to try to accommodate the concerns of the various delegations.

In many of the panels held during the three-day special session of the General Assembly on HIV/AIDS, many delegates expressed concern over the links between poverty and AIDS, the lack of resource delivery to local communities, the widespread lack of food and nutrition in many developing African countries, and the vulnerability of children to the disease.

There was also significant concern about gender issues, including the right of women to protect themselves from the HIV virus and to make decisions freely about their sexuality.

Throughout the deliberations, participants treated with sensitivity the widely varying views of the delegates involved. Among others, the Organization of Islamic Countries from the outset indicated it had profound worries about language that might be in conflict with its religious or cultural values.

Most U.N. votes take place by consensus, but Wednesday's vote in the General Assembly had every member voting.
010627
UP010617

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2001. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2001. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .