HIV is a virus that persists in being spread across the globe. As it does, the connection between human rights and HIV AIDS becomes increasingly apparent and diverse. The history of this connection dates back to the 1980s when people with HIV or AIDS were subject to discrimination in terms of international travel restrictions, employment and housing barriers, medical care and insurance, or access to educational opportunities. This time period is essential when considering the connection between human rights and HIV AIDS because, by the end of the decade, a movement to enforce compassion and camaraderie with HIV-infected people began.

This concept has a lengthy history, but plenty of movements have taken place in just the last 60 years. The cornerstone of modern concept is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), a document that instructs governments about what they are responsible to perform in order to uphold the rights of people everywhere. It was drafted in 1948 by the UN General Assembly. Other documents exist as well which state legally-binding obligations that governments must meet if they sign onto them. In the context of human rights and HIV AIDS, access to the highest standard of physical and mental health for citizens is outlined in almost all human rights documents.

Governments around the world are responsible for respecting, protecting, and fulfilling the rights of their citizens. This means that countries and states cannot violate rights directly, must prevent the violation of rights from a third party, and must take appropriate measures to ensure that all rights are fulfilled. Based on the fact that governments are obligated to protect public health, they can be understood to be responsible for creating and implementing programs to reduce the spread of HIV and AIDS within the borders of the country or state. Human rights and HIV AIDS can be best addressed by governments if they consider three situations that affect a great number of the population-infected, affected, and vulnerable.

Site of the Month for August 2011 talks of AIDS Directory. Aids Index provides the useful information on AIDS and HIV including AIDS Resources, AIDS treatments and therapies, AIDS prevention, events about AIDS and HIV, vaccines for patients and more related.