HIV and Human Rights: A Global Overview

My Book is an exploration of how human rights are understood and experienced by Papua NewGuinean people living with HIV, men with diverse sexualities and transgender women. I examinethe emergence and progress of two organisations established by these communities: Igat Hope andKapul Champions. I consider the ways these organisations have, while still pursuing their missions tolimit the impacts of HIV on their members and all Papua New Guineans, been used to help promotethe human rights of constituents. Through this examination, I reflect on my own history with theseorganisations and the community movements which have built them, and on my roles as advocateand researcher.I find that the human rights of people with HIV, men with diverse sexualities and transwomen in PNG are regularly violated across many areas of life. I find these communities have anunderstanding of human rights and support their promotion, particularly rights analyses thatrecognise the value they place on community connection and that emphasise their inclusion. I seehuman rights in PNG as a dynamic space, with an indigenisation of the rights framework that willfacilitate its application. I find both Igat Hope and Kapul Champions to have significant records ofachievement, including in human rights. I also find a way to be comfortable in my multiple roles,suggesting some ways in which my research might support local advocacy efforts.