Report “Implications of HIV-Associated Stigma and Discrimination: Human Rights Challenges” Virtual Forum

The project operates in four countries of the Central American region: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Panama. One of the project's objectives is to provide technical assistance plans for the expansion of training processes to officials of human rights government institutions on the rights of people with HIV and the LGBTI population. Three awareness-raising workshops for human rights institutions were scheduled to be developed, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the activity was reformulated to be carried out in a virtual format. The virtual forum "Implications of HIV-Associated Stigma and Discrimination: Human Rights Challenges" was held on November 23rd, 2020, with a duration of two hours. The virtual forum aimed to contribute to the awareness and promotion of the human rights of people with HIV and key populations among officials of human rights institutions from Guatemala, El Salvador, Panama, and Honduras. The event was attended by 43 civil servants who were appointed by the respective human rights institutions. The participants were part of the human rights trainers' course for people with HIV and the LGBTI population. The virtual forum consisted of several agenda items, including presentations on international agreements, commitments, and obligations of states on the human rights of people with HIV and key populations. The first topic was presented by Sandra Ruano, who discussed the right of equality regulated by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Constitutions of the Central American countries. The presentation highlighted the importance of guaranteeing respect for the dignity of the human person and the obligation to recognize the right to equality at all levels of care by public officials. The second topic, presented by Alexia Alvarado, discussed the implications of HIV stigma and discrimination. The presentation highlighted the discriminatory attitudes towards people with HIV as a violation of their dignity and human rights, which limits access to equality. The topic also emphasized the importance of policies to reduce HIV stigma and discrimination. The virtual forum also included a Q&A space on the topics presented and closing remarks. The event was followed by a post-test to assess the participants' knowledge on the topics discussed. The list of participants is attached in Annex 1, and the presentations are annexed in the Annexes section. The project's commitment to reducing stigma and discrimination due to HIV is reflected in the virtual forum's objectives and agenda items. The event aimed to raise awareness among human rights officials on the importance of guaranteeing respect for the dignity of the human person and the obligation to recognize the right to equality at all levels of care. The project's efforts to support human rights institutions in reducing stigma and discrimination due to HIV are crucial in promoting the human rights of people with HIV and the LGBTI population in the Central American region.