Leading experts have come together at the Rockefeller Foundation’s Bellagio Center in Bellagio, Italy, to discuss how criminal laws can affect individual freedoms. The participants looked for ways to collaborate to end laws that impact upon health and human rights, towards supporting the goal of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030.
The ground-breaking meeting, organized by UNAIDS and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, was held from 8 to 10 February. The participants learned about strategies for challenging and addressing the impacts of unjust criminal laws on health and human rights and explored how to build alliances for increased collaboration and to challenge the misuse of criminal law. Entry points for greater leadership from United Nations agencies and other organizations were also identified.
“This meeting was an important step forward in developing the innovative thinking required to address the unjust application of criminal laws. From a moral, health and rights perspective, we simply cannot afford to leave anyone behind in the AIDS response.”
Luiz Loures Deputy Executive Director, UNAIDS
“The meeting helped to clarify an important notion: when considering whether to use its power to regulate the conduct of the individual that impacts on the enjoyment of human rights and liberties, the state has to consider criminal law as a last resort.”
Mona Rishmawi Chief, Rule of Law, Equality and Non-Discrimination Branch, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
