On Monday, 13 May 2019, the Stop TB Partnership, together with TB People (a global network of people affected by TB), as well as NGOs and community delegations launched the Declaration of the Rights of People Affected by TB in Geneva, Switzerland.
The launch of this Declaration marks a major milestone in recognising the urgent need to adopt a human rights-based approach to TB, to fund human rights-based interventions that overcome barriers to universal access to TB diagnosis, prevention, treatment, care and support services – and to put people affected by TB at the centre of the TB response.
The Declaration itself aims to empower people affected by TB so they may know and claim their human rights.
The following are principles for a human rights-based approach to TB:
- People (and affected communities) are placed at the centre, as equal partners, driving health policy, providing the individual and groups with the tools to participate and claim specific rights
- The most marginalised, at risk and vulnerable people/groups are identified, informed and empowered to access TB prevention, treatment and care
- Dignity is assured for patients and those affected
- Socio-economic determinants of TB are addressed
- Human rights implications of TB policy, legislation and programming are addressed
- Institutional constraints and capacity gaps that prevent individuals and groups from fulfilling their rights related to TB are overcome
- There is an integrated and multisectoral response to TB, making human rights an integral dimension in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of TB-related policies and programmes
- Accountability tools are provided for governments, the international community and civil society to monitor the progress of all stakeholders in realising the right to health
- A platform is provided for documenting and sharing best practices, supporting advocacy and social mobilisation around human rights relevant to TB.
(Source: www.stoptb.org)
You can read the full Declaration here.
