Advancing HIV response and human rights: a timeline of ILGA World’s advocacy work

This article is authored by Gabriel Galil , interim United Nations programme manager at ILGA World

Summary

Since 2021, ILGA World has followed negotiations on HIV/AIDS response at the Human Rights Council, the World Health Assembly, and UNAIDS. In this article, you will find out more about how our advocacy work has been part of how international human rights bodies have addressed the HIV/AIDS response in recent years.

Recent developments: Advocacy at the Human Rights Council on HIV response

In March 2025, important conversations took place at the United Nations Human Rights Council about sustained responses to HIV.

These discussions are urgent, and occur at a time when both political and financial restrictions pose serious threats to HIV responses and the human rights of key populations.

The World Health Organization defines key populations as those at higher risk for HIV irrespective of epidemic type or local context — including sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender people, people who inject drugs, and individuals in prison and other closed settings.

ILGA World partnered with Frontline AIDS to provide support to community-led and regional organisations Gender Dynamix and Alliance for Public Health to ensure their voices were heard in Geneva, Switzerland.

Throughout the week, these organisations engaged with member State representatives from different regions and met with representatives of UN agencies, including the World Health Organization. These meetings were critical in bringing to decision-makers first-hand information about the successes and challenges for marginalised people most affected by HIV to access lifesaving services.

ILGA World also co-sponsored a side event at the UN Human Rights Council on 5 March, entitled “Ending AIDS for all: The critical role of human rights in a sustainable and equitable response”. Speakers highlighted that the global commitment to end AIDS by 2030 is threatened by funding cuts and ongoing human rights violations. They also called for urgent action from global leaders to recognise the essential role of human rights for a sustainable and equitable HIV response to reach people most affected by HIV.

Furthermore, ILGA World actively engaged with the HRC panel on HIV responses. ILGA World took the floor on behalf of 15 organisations working on various HIV-related issues worldwide, emphasising the importance of meeting the 10-10-10 societal enabler targets and addressing the financial challenges of HIV response, including the impacts of the U.S. freeze and cut of funds. Our statement was anchored in both political agreements and international obligations of States.

According to the Sustainable Development Goals, adopted by consensus in 2015, States agreed to end the epidemics of AIDS by 2030. Later, in 2021, States adopted the HIV Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS, through which States committed to specific guidance: the 10-10-10 targets. These social enabler targets call on countries to repeal punitive laws and policies affecting key populations and to combat stigma, discrimination, and gender-based violence. According to these goals, less than 10% of countries should have punitive laws and policies by 2025 – including provisions that criminalise sex work, possession of small amounts of drugs, same-sex sexual behaviour, and HIV transmission, exposure, or nondisclosure.

Beyond political commitments, a human rights-based response to HIV is part of core States’ international obligations.

The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights clearly explained how they are an integral part of the right to health.  States also have an obligation to take specific action to eliminate stigma and discrimination against people living with discriminatory laws on the grounds of sexual orientation, sex and gender identity and expression, health status (including drug dependency), or sex work.

Continue reading: A look back: ILGA World’s ongoing commitment to HIV and human rights