UNAIDS and UNDP convened a three-day meeting (12-14 February 2007, Geneva) of the Reference Group on HIV and human rights to look at the major challenges posed by the epidemic, such as those involved in provider-initiated testing and counselling, criminalization of drug users, sex workers and men having sex with men, male circumcision and violence against women and children.

The UNAIDS Reference Group on HIV and Human Rights was established in 2002 to advise the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS on all matters relating to HIV and human rights. Its role is to advise UNAIDS on how it can strengthen the capacity of governments, civil society and the private sector to protect human rights in relation to HIV, but also to advise on how to operationalize human rights, gender and the principles of GIPA (Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV).

Because all these questions must be approached from a variety of angles and perspectives, UNAIDS Reference Group on HIV and Human Rights is made up of people from many different perspectives with a common commitment to, and expertise in, the area of HIV and human rights. The group includes advocates, HIV programmers, lawyers, a High Court judge, people living with HIV, people working with sex workers and drug users, an ethicist, academics and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health.