UNHRC adopts historic resolution on human rights and neglected tropical diseases
In a statement, the UN said the adoption represents a major milestone in the global fight against NTDs and a powerful acknowledgement that the more than one billion people affected by these diseases can no longer be left behind.
A view of the Palace of Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. (Credit: Xinhua/Getty Images)
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GENEVA - In a landmark moment for global health and human rights, African countries spearheaded the first-ever resolution adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Council Tuesday (July 07), formally recognizing the profound and inseparable links between human rights and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
The historic resolution was led by Malawi, alongside a core group of African member states including Kenya, Tanzania, Burkina Faso, the Gambia and Morocco.
It marks the first time NTDs have been formally addressed through a dedicated Human Rights Council resolution – elevating these diseases beyond the health sector and recognising them as issues of dignity, equity, inclusion, and justice.
In a statement, the UN said the adoption represents a major milestone in the global fight against NTDs and a powerful acknowledgement that the more than one billion people affected by these diseases can no longer be left behind.
NTDs are both caused by and drive human rights challenges. Poverty, unsafe water, inadequate housing, poor sanitation, discrimination, and limited access to healthcare create the conditions in which NTDs thrive.
It means that by adopting this resolution, the UNHRC has formally recognised that advancing human rights and ending NTDs are deeply interconnected goals.
The resolution is expected to help elevate NTDs within global and national policy agendas, strengthen accountability, reinforce the links between health and human rights, and mobilise greater political will and resources to accelerate progress towards elimination.
'Historic victory'
The adoption comes amid growing global momentum behind NTD elimination.
To date, 63 countries worldwide have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease, demonstrating that sustained political commitment, investment, and partnership can drive transformative progress.
Africa continues to lead global efforts to end these diseases, the UN says.
Madalitso Chidumu Baloyi, Malawi's health minister, called the adoption a "historic victory" for the millions of people affected by NTDs around the globe.
"By formally recognising the links between NTDs and human rights, the Human Rights Council has affirmed that no person should be denied dignity, opportunity, health, or inclusion because of a preventable and treatable disease," he said.
Stuart Halford, the Director of Advocacy and Resource Mobilisation, Uniting to Combat NTDs, hailed Malawi and other African member states for making the landmark resolution possible.
"Africa has also driven some of the world's greatest progress against NTDs, demonstrating what is possible through political commitment, partnership, and sustained investment," he said.
"By recognising NTDs as both a health and human rights issue, the Human Rights Council has taken an important step towards accelerating progress against these diseases and improving the lives and rights of millions of people worldwide.
"We now have an opportunity to build on this momentum and ensure that human rights considerations are fully integrated into efforts to end NTDs once and for all."