Neglected Diseases: A Human Rights Analysis

Front Cover
World Health Organization, 2007 - Medical - 53 pages
This report is the result of collaboration between the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), the High Commissioner for Human Rigths (HHR) team and the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the highest attainable standard of health.

Neglected diseases are both a cause and consequence of human rights violations. The failure to respect certain human rights, such as the rights to water, adequate housing, education and participation, increases the vulnerability of individuals and communities to neglected diseases. People afflicted by neglected diseases are vulnerable to violations of their human rights, including the rights to health, life, non-discrimination, privacy, work, education, and to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress. These human rights causes and consequences of neglected diseases have important implications for the global fight against neglected diseases.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in neglected diseases as a public health issue. However, there has been less attention given to the connections between neglected diseases and human rights. This report aims to introduce and explore some of these connections. Having established the linkages, the next challenge will be for all parties collaboratively to identify the practical implications of applying human rights to the design implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies, programmes and projects for neglected diseases.
 

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Page 37 - The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.
Page 43 - Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.
Page 9 - Each State Party to the present Covenant undertakes to respect and to ensure to all individuals within its territory and subject to its jurisdiction the rights recognized in the present Covenant, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
Page 16 - racial discrimination' shall mean any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life.
Page 9 - International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Page 8 - To benefit from the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.
Page 35 - Agreement does not and should not prevent Members from taking measures to protect public health. Accordingly, while reiterating our commitment to the TRIPS Agreement, we affirm that the Agreement can and should be interpreted and implemented in a manner supportive of WTO Members' right to protect public health and, in particular, to promote access to medicines for all.
Page 8 - The steps to be taken by a State Party to the present Covenant to achieve the full realization of this right shall Include...
Page 7 - The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard, of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition.
Page 24 - The state may not unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone on one or more grounds, including race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language and birth.