Neglected Diseases: A Human Rights Analyis

This report is the result of collaboration between the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), the High Commissioner for Human Rigths (HHR) team and the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the highest attainable standard of health.

Neglected diseases are both a cause and consequence of human rights violations. The failure to respect certain human rights, such as the rights to water, adequate housing, education and participation, increases the vulnerability of individuals and communities to neglected diseases. People afflicted by neglected diseases are vulnerable to violations of their human rights, including the rights to health, life, non-discrimination, privacy, work, education, and to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress. These human rights causes and consequences of neglected diseases have important implications for the global fight against neglected diseases.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in neglected diseases as a public health issue. However, there has been less attention given to the connections between neglected diseases and human rights. This report aims to introduce and explore some of these connections. Having established the linkages, the next challenge will be for all parties collaboratively to identify the practical implications of applying human rights to the design implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies, programmes and projects for neglected diseases.