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The national question of HIV/AIDS and health in the constitutional reform process
Zimbabwe Network of People Living with HIV (ZNNP+)
June 24, 2009

The National HIV/AIDS, Human Rights and Law Advocacy round table, which is facilitated by the Zimbabwe Network of People Living with HIV (ZNNP+) including its partner support groups and the HIV/AIDS, Human Rights and Law project of Zimbabwe highlights the following in relation to the constitution making process in Zimbabwe;

• There is need for the process of public consultation to be transparent, inclusive and non -discriminatory.
• People living with HIV should be represented and meaningfully engaged at every level of the consultation process.
• There is need to recognize the right to health as a basic right that should be guaranteed in the new constitution. This recognition should identify the right to health as encompassing the provision of adequate and quality health care, diagnostic testing, access to treatment, and transparency in the administration of health resources.
• There is a need to ensure that the right to a standard of living adequate for health and well-being becomes a justiceable and enforceable part of the new constitution's Bill of Rights; this should include the right to food, the right to shelter and the right to clean water and sanitation;
• Because People Living with HIV in Zimbabwe continue to face grave challenges in accessing treatment, social services, basic health care, education and other socio-economic rights,it is important to highlight the need for an expanded Bill of Rights in the new constitution with provisions on non-discrimination and equal protection of the law that apply expressly to the rights of People Living with HIV.
• There be developed a constitutionally mandated and financially accountable social security system that also includes medical aid and medical insurance; orphans and vulnerable children should especially benefit from this system; and
• Men, women and children in prisons and all places of detention must be provided with free and uninterrupted anti-retroviral therapy and access to qualified medical professionals by the state.

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