Health and Human Rights

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INHR has been at the forefront of reminding states and UN institutions of their human rights responsibilities in battling the COVID-19 pandemic and the various measures adopted around the world to implement it.  We help make the link between the promotion of public health and freedom of expression, freedom of association and other fundamental freedoms.  At INHR, we make this link at the international level, by articulating and improving international norms in the World Health Assembly and HRC, and at the country level, through concrete programs aimed at helping states improve their legal framework so that society and government can partner most effectively to fight public health crises.  Read more by our team members.

Far too often, states have thought that the best answer to an outbreak or signs of a new disease was to cover it up or minimize the extent of the problem.  In fact, we know from empirical evidence that such reactions were counterproductive.  When fundamental rights of expression, press and association are trampled we have seen an accelerated spread of SARS, Ebola, Avian flu and HIV, among others. 

Civil society groups are often at the forefront of identifying new health crises, ensuring delivery of services, and making effective partnerships for public health education.  In the countries where we work, we ensure close collaboration with these groups for effective policy making and implementation.  We also educate civil society to advocate for and defend its rights.

One of INHR's directors introduced to the UN Human Rights Council the idea of protection of medical workers as a human rights concept.  Thanks to this advocacy, the humanitarian principle that attacks on medical workers for providing care to dissidents or members of political opposition groups is a serious violation is now gaining traction in human rights law.

We advocate for the rights of women and girls in health care at the Human Rights Council, the World Health Assembly and with other specialized health agencies in Geneva and New York.   Our team has negotiated the HRC resolutions on child, early and force marriage, discrimination against women, violence against women, maternal mortality, rights to a nationality, the right of every girl to education and many other topics at the forefront of health and human rights issues for women and girls. We support civil society groups focused on rights of maternal health, sexuality education and reproductive rights as a priority in our quest at achieving universal human rights for all.  Women's rights are human rights and women's health is an important area of non-discrimination. 

People living with Ebola, HIV and many other diseases face discrimination in their receipt of public services, in their access to health care and in their daily lives.  UNHR helps to highlight these issues for vulnerable populations and to ensure equal treatment for all. 

INHR is well-positioned to advocate and articulate the right to health, especially given the expertise of its consultants who come from Harvard Medical School and the World Health Organization.  With a special focus on health and youth, communicable diseases, and mental health issues, UNHR advocacy extends from the World Health Assembly to the Human Rights Council.