"HIV / AIDS and Human Rights in Kenya"

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of HIV/AIDS scourge in Kenya. It examines the relationship between HIV/AIDS and lack of respect for human rights. It also examines the role played by HIV/AIDS in undermining the realisation of human rights, as well as the effects of HIV/AIDS on the socio-economicand cultural rights in Kenya. This study has utilised both documentary and survey data. Interviews were conducted through questionnaires formulated for people living with HIV, employers and implementers of policies from various organisations. The central assumption is that those infected by HIV/AIDS are prone to human rights violations, hence the study examines how Kenya is implementing the international standards set by the United Natlons'in upholding the rights of those infected with the virus. The study has found out that though positive HIV/AIDS status leads to human rights violations, there are several other factors which go hand in hand with it, for example the status of a person in society, and the sex of the person. This therefore makes those persons whose other human rights are already violated more vulnerable to further infection with HIV/AIDS and violation o.f their rights. The study makes the case that poverty and underdevelopment are major components in the spread of HIV/AIDS, by denying persons access to treatment, care, preventive interventions and education. It concludes that if people's rights to health, work and non-discrimination are honoured, then the trend in the impact of HIV/AIDSwould be reversed. The study established that those living with HIV/AIDS, to a large extent believe that their human rights are being violated, while the employers believe that those infected with the virus are being treated like the rest. The study has also highlighted the fact that due to the level of socio - economic development in Kenya, most of the people do not understand the complexities of human rights violations.