National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) on Monday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the protection of the fundamental rights of people living with HIV/AIDS in the country.
Signing the MoU during an inaugural Access to Justice Coordination Forum as part of the NHRC’s implementation of the Global Funds Grant Circle 7 (GT7) in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu, SAN emphasized the need to protect the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS.
Ojukwu also called for an aggressive and multi-sectoral approach to the protection of marginalised groups and assured of the Commission’s readiness to collaborate with stakeholders in ensuring access to justice and protection of human rights.
He called for adequate synergy for the achievement of human rights, dignity, and access to justice for all Nigerians.
In her speech, the Director General of NACA, Dr. Temitope Ilori, who commended Ojukwu for his continued leadership and unwavering commitment to the promotion of human rights and public health in Nigeria said, the Forum marks a significant milestone in the collective efforts to ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of status and background, has access to justice, particularly in healthcare and social support.
The NACA boss also noted that, “The Access to Justice Coordination Forum represents a crucial step in eliminating stigma, discrimination, and barriers to justice. Through this platform, we anticipate enhanced access to legal remedies, improved protection of patient rights, and stronger advocacy for equitable healthcare policies.
She noted that, “NACA will continue to lead the national response to HIV/AIDS, and this partnership with the NHRC will further empower the agency to address both the health and human rights dimensions of the epidemic”.
In a goodwill message at the occasion, Oluwafisayo
Aransiola Fakayode who represented the UNAIDS Country Director, Dr Leopold Zekeng said, the inauguration of the Access to Justice Coordination Forum represents a significant milestone in the collective journey towards ensuring that every person living with, affected by, or at risk of HIV/AIDS including key populations, and other vulnerable groups have equitable access to justice.
She said People living with HIV/AIDS often face significant barriers to justice and that, the barriers include stigma, discrimination, lack of awareness about their rights, inadequate legal support, institutional bias, and economic constraints, amongst others.
UNAIDS, she said, observed that many individuals are sometimes denied access to essential services, face unjust treatment in the workplace, and are subjected to social exclusion.
“These injustices not only violate their basic human rights but also hinder their ability to live healthy and fulfilling lives. This, indeed is a profound human rights issue that demands our urgent attention and action.
“At UNAIDS, we believe that justice is not just a concept, but a fundamental human right that must be accessible to all, regardless of their health status, identity, or circumstances. The right to access to justice is indeed multidimensional.
“It encompasses justiciability, availability, accessibility, good quality, the provision of remedies for victims/survivors and the accountability of justice systems,” she said.
According to her, the access to Justice Coordination Forum is a testament to the unwavering commitment to dismantle the barriers that prevent individuals from accessing the justice they deserve and that, it requires a collective effort to address the issue.
She said, governments, civil society organisations, healthcare providers, legal practitioners, and communities must work together to create an environment where people living with HIV/AIDS can access justice without fear or prejudice.
Fakayode noted that access to justice for people living with, affected by, or at risk of HIV/AIDS is a fundamental human right that, “we must all strive to uphold. By breaking down barriers, strengthening legal protections, and empowering individuals, we can create a world where everyone, regardless of their HIV status, can enjoy their human rights and live with dignity, respect, and equal rights”.
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