She spoke on the connections of human rights and HIV. The violation of human rights and criminalization of affected communities, increases vulnerability to HIV; reversely, the protection of human rights of people living with HIV ensures access and retention in healthcare services. “Please note that I did not say patients, I said people,” she said. “I did not say fight; but the response to HIV.” 

Her presentation was underscored by her description of human rights inherent to our human dignity. 

"They are universal, indivisible, and interdependent,” she said. “Not all people exercise their human rights in the same way, with the same guarantees and freedoms.”

She listed many human rights that have historically been violated among people living with HIV, including the right to health, right to life, right to information, and many others.

“The right to health is the most violated,” she said. “There are still cases in which medical attention is denied because of an HIV diagnosis.”

This is because some health personnel are afraid of acquiring HIV during care, she noted. “This comes from misinformation,” she said. “The right to health and to life are violated when there are situations of shortage of antiretroviral drugs.”

Sexual and reproductive rights are denied to many people living with HIV, she noted. “We are told that we cannot experience sexuality or conceive because there is a risk of transmission,” said Ross. “This stems from misinformation and stigmas against certain population groups.”

Currently antiretroviral treatment is so effective that anyone living with HIV who takes the medication every day and has an undetectable viral load can no longer transmit HIV. 

“People living with HIV can practice their sexuality safely and freely, as well as conceive,” she said. “Many people in the LGTBQ+ community are questioned and prevented from adopting the identity of their choice.”

Because of the stigmas associated with gay, lesbian, and transgender people, HIV care and prevention is often not provided, Ross explained. “Somehow it is thought that these people deserve to be diagnosed with HIV,” she said. “The violation of the right to identity also occurs in Indigenous communities when health services do not speak to them in their language or discriminate against them because of their dress and customs.”

The right to work is also very much violated, said Ross.

“It is very difficult to get a job if you speak publicly about your HIV diagnosis,” she said. “The causes are stigma and misinformation.”

Some companies and employers think that HIV can be easily transmitted in a work environment as if it were the flu, Ross continued. “HIV is not contagious; it is transmitted in three ways: from mother to child, through unprotected sex, and through the use of contaminated blood or syringes,” she said. “Some employers still require HIV testing as a pre-employment requirement.”

The right to privacy is very much violated as well, as some healthcare workers and family members continue to divulge the HIV status without the consent of the person Ross said.

“The right to a life free of violence is very much violated in Bolivia,” she said. “You yourselves can see the news in the press where every week we know about cases of femicide and infanticide.”

 She urged people to respect and protect the human rights of people living with HIV. “It is not difficult to respect the human rights of people living with HIV,” she said.

Ross concluded by noting that World AIDS Day is approaching on 1 December. The theme is “Take the rights path,” with the meaning that the world can end AIDS – if everyone’s rights are protected. The WCC will hold an online World AIDS Day prayer on December 2, 2024 with this theme.

UNAIDS' Social Media toolkit for World AIDS Day 2024.