Global HIV/AIDS action plan for indigenous communities launched

Indigenous peoples around the world have come together to launch an action plan on HIV/AIDS.

This plan, launched at the 16^th World AIDS Conference held in Toronto, demands that indigenous peoples must be at the centre of HIV health responses that affect us and our communities.

”The Toronto Charter, formally known as The Toronto Charter – Indigenous Peoples Action Plan on HIV/AIDS 2006 is the culmination of Indigenous Peoples work worldwide ,” said Colin Ross, an Australian representative. “Australian Indigenous people have helped to mould this landmark document that will be critical to the way Indigenous people are positioned in the response to HIV.”

This Charter sets out key strategic responses and is a call to action directed at people who influence and make decisions about the provision of HIV/AIDS services for Indigenous Peoples around the world, Ross said.

“Working with other Indigenous peoples on the Charter was a great experience, but the critical issue for Australians now is ensuring that all Indigenous communities affected by HIV are involved in the response,” said Ross.

With this change in the pattern of the epidemic in HIV, Australian Indigenous representatives working on the Charter wanted to ensure that women, heterosexual men and injecting drug users affected by HIV in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities were meaningfully included in HIV health and related responses alongside gay men, men who have sex with men and sistergirls. 

“The TorontoCharter will act as a blueprint to ensure that Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are active participants in education, prevention, treatment care and support in timely and effective responses that are culturally sensitive and appropriate,” said Ross. “This is a fantastic achievement, and one that has come about through Indigenous peoples worldwide working toward a common goal.”

Australian Indigenous input into the Charter has been achieved through coordination by the AFAO National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HIV/AIDS Project. Representatives from the AFAO Project, the Indigenous Strategic Alliance (ISA) and the Positive Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Network (PATSIN) participated in an international reference committee that saw the draft document ratified in Adelaide at Anwernekenhe 4 to incorporate Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community response.

Ross added, “Special mention must be given to Clive Aspin in New Zealand for his leadership, coordination and writing the drafts to get the Charter to its final completion prior to its launch.”  

Read the text of the charter below or download a PDF version (1.91 MB).

AFAO President Ian Rankin (L) and Chair of the AFAO Indigenous Strategic Alliance (ISA), Colin Ross, with the Charter at the Toronto conference.

The Toronto Charter

Indigenous Peoples' Action Plan on HIV/AIDS 2006

PREAMBLE

The Toronto Charter is a call to action directed at people who influence and make decisions about the provision of HIV/AIDS services for Indigenous Peoples around the world.

TheToronto Charter was developed and formulated by Indigenous Peoples throughout the world.

The Toronto Charter is intended to support agencies working in HIV/AIDS to develop programmes that will make a real difference to Indigenous Peoples and the communities from which they come.

KEY PRINCIPLES

Acknowledge that Indigenous Peoples have shared experiences relating to the AIDS epidemic and its impacts on our communities.

Affirm that the AIDS epidemic continues to have a devastating effect on our communities.

Acknowledge that Indigenous Peoples have inherent rights which guarantee them good health and well-being.

Acknowledge that the changing patterns of the HIV/AIDS epidemic are placing Indigenous Peoples at increased risk of HIV infection.

Recognise that Indigenous Peoples have the right to determine their own health priorities.

Reaffirm that Indigenous Peoples have the right to control all aspects of their lives, including their health.

HIV/AIDS AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

Three decades into the HIV/AIDS epidemic Indigenous Peoples are adversely affected by this epidemic.

The epidemic is having a profound effect on families and communities from which we come.

In some countries, Indigenous Peoples have disproportionately higher rates of HIV infection than non-Indigenous people.

The impact of HIV/AIDS on Indigenous Peoples is compounded by a range of socio-cultural factors that place Indigenous Peoples at increased risk of HIV/AIDS.

It is essential that HIV/AIDS data on Indigenous Peoples be collected, analysed and reported in a manner that is respectful of the needs of Indigenous Peoples as identified by Indigenous Peoples themselves.

RIGHT TO HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

Indigenous Peoples have a holistic view of health which includes physical, social, mental, emotional and spiritual dimensions all of which need to be considered and emphasized as a basis for defining approaches to Indigenous Peoples’ health.

Indigenous Peoples have the right to a state of health that is at least equal to that of non-Indigenous people.

Governments are responsible for ensuring equitable access to health services and equitable health outcomes for all citizens.

Governments must be committed to consulting with Indigenous Peoples in order to ensure that health programmes meet the needs of Indigenous Peoples.

Health and social programmes for Indigenous Peoples must provide culturally appropriate service delivery. Programmes need to incorporate and integrate traditional healers and systems where appropriate.

Indigenous Peoples must be able to have access to their own languages in the provision of health and social services.

Health and social programmes must be disseminated and communicate information about the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS that is relative to the reality in which Indigenous Peoples live.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Ensure the central participation of Indigenous Peoples in all programmes related to the prevention of HIV and programmes for the care and support of Indigenous Peoples living with HIV/AIDS.

Provide adequate resources to Indigenous Peoples to design, develop and implement HIV/AIDS programmes.

Increase current resources so that Indigenous communities can respond in a timely and effective way to the demands placed on communities by the AIDS epidemic.

Ensure the process of participation of Indigenous Peoples in United Nations forums is strengthened so their views are fairly represented.

Incorporate this Charter in its entirety in all policy pertaining to Indigenous Peoples and HIV/AIDS.

Monitor and take action against any States whose persistent policies and activities fail to acknowledge and support the integration of this Charter into State policies relating to HIV/AIDS.

The Toronto Charter is an initiative of the Planning Committee of the International Indigenous Peoples! Satellite at the 16th International AIDS Conference, 2006 and has been endorsed by Indigenous People around the world.

For more information on the Charter or to receive a copy, please contact Michael Costello – Senior Policy & Programs Officer (AFAO) mcostello@afao.org.au.