UN Security Council Adopts Resolution on Peacekeepers Responses to HIV/AIDS in Conflict and Post-Conflict Situations
Date:
United Nations, New York—The United Nations Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution recognizing the importance of UN peacekeeping operations in responding to HIV/AIDS in conflict and post-conflict situations.
Adopted 7 June on the eve of the UN General Assembly High-level Meeting on AIDS, UNSCR 1983 (2011) builds on the first Council action on HIV/AIDS, UNSCR 1308 (2000). The Council specified that HIV/AIDS programmes in peacekeeping could include confidential counselling, testing and other activities, in the context of assistance to national institutions, security sector reform and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration processes, with particular attention paid to the needs of vulnerable populations, including women and girls.
“Before resolution 1308 (2000) was adopted, uniformed personnel were viewed in terms of the risk they might pose to civilians, said UN Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-moon following the adoption of the resolution. “Now we understand that United Nations troops and police are part of prevention, treatment and care.
Mr. Ban pointed to the fact that rape is still used as a weapon against women and girls in many conflicts. He urged all Member States to link efforts to combat HIV/AIDS with campaigns against sexual violence and for the rights of women, recognizing the correlation between AIDS, the international drug trade, sex trafficking, the abuse of women and post-conflict peacebuilding challenges.
[Adapted and re-printed from UN Department of Public Information.]
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