国連総会エイズハイレベル会合の映像が配信されました。世界では、HIVに感染していることで、苦しんでいる方が沢山います。議員として、活動している姿が少しでもそのような方々を勇気づけられたらという思いでスピーチを致しました。
以下、日本語訳です。
世界各国からお集まりの皆さま、本日ここにIPUを代表して発言する機会を頂きましたことを、深く感謝申し上げま す。
各国の国会議員を通して、行政、司法分野からＨＩＶ/ＡＩＤＳ問題に取り組むＩＰＵ（列国議員同盟）は、この問題について高い専門性を 持つアドバイザーグループの傘下で取り組みを進めています。
日本の国会議員である私自身は、アドバイザリーグループの一人であり、そしてまたＨＩＶと共に生きてきた人間でもあります。
世界の国会議員たちは、HIVウイルスの感染拡大防止というゴールにおいて、きわめて重要な役割を担っています。
政治とは間違った方向に進めば、人のいのちを奪ってしまう、けれど高い志とともに行使された時には、多くのいのちを救うこともできるの です。たとえば多くの国で取り入れられ始めている「HIV感染者に対する差別禁止法」は、それまで社会の片隅で目をふせて肩身の狭い思いをし ていた沢山の感染者に希望を与えました。しかしその一方で、性産業労働者や薬物使用者を犯罪者として取り締まる法律のように、感染者たちが病 気を公表したり検診を受けることをしにくい状況を作り出してしまう場合もあるのです。
その方向性を決めるのは、各国の政治です。
IPUがとても重要な役割を担う理由は、まさにここにあるのです。
素晴らしいことに、現在より多くの国会議員たちが、HIV問題に対する自分たちのリーダーシップの重要性を認識し始めています。
そしてIPUとそのアドバイザーグループは、いまこそ国会議員たちが目に見える形で行動を起こす時だと確信しています。
このことを強く裏付ける、私の個人的経験をお話しましょう。
あれは17才の時です。ＨＩＶウィルスに汚染された血液製剤から感染した私は、日本政府に対し訴訟を起こしました。
まだ若い私の身に起きた薬害と、政府や企業に対するその怒りに対し共感した若者やメディアによって、この裁判は国内外で大きな反響を呼 びました。
ですがあの時、心ある国会議員たちが私たちの声をすくい上げてくれなかったら、裁判の和解とそれに続くHIVエイズ治療の大きな前進は 実現しなかったのです。
そしてまた、国によって感染させられた私の中には、氷のような政治不信が横たわっていました。
ですが私と同じ目線に立ち、懸命に努力して政治を動かしてくれたあの議員たちが、その不信感を溶かしてくれたのです。
「人生にはまだまだ希望がある。病気を抱えた特別な患者としてではなく、自分もごく普通の人間としてあたり前の幸せを手にしていいん だ」という気持ちを、初めてもつことが出来たのです。
あれから25年以上たちますが、私はすっかり免疫もあがり、幸せな家庭を持ち、そして今もＨＩＶと共に生きています。
私はこう思うのです。
政治の役割とは、単にかわいそうな人々に救済を与えるというものではなく、病気や生まれ持った条件に関わらず、
誰もがプライドと尊厳を持ち、生き方を選ぶ自由を持てる環境をサポートすることではないかと。
それでも政治という枠組みの中ではさまざまな壁があるでしょう。日本にもまだまだ沢山のハードルがあります。
でもその壁の厚さにくじけそうになると、私はいつも目を閉じて思い浮かべるのです。
同じゴールを目指す沢山の仲間たちのこと、治療を受けられずにこの世を去っていった多くの友人たちのこと、
そして15年前のあの日、私に希望をくれた国会議員たちのことを。
みなさんもこの会議が終わってそれぞれの国に戻り、もしもそんな風に無力感を感じる時がきたら、どうか手をのばしてください。
私たちには、国境を越えてつながれる沢山の仲間がいるのです。
それでももしあなたがくじけそうになってしまった時は、私の姿を思い出してみてください。
私たちが共に目指すこのゴールが、どんなに限りなく貴い、価値あるものであるか、
ＨＩＶと共に生き続ける私が、何度でも思い出させます。
最後までご静聴ありがとうございました。
川田龍平
以下、英文です。
Mr. President,
Distinguished Ministers,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great honor for me to speak out on behalf of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
The IPU is assisting parliaments to deal with the issues of HIV/AIDS through its Advisory Group on HIV/AIDS, a group of qualified MPs from all over the world who have been working hard to raise awareness of the need for legislation.
I am a member of the parliament from Japan’s House of Councilors, one of the IPU Advisory Group on HIV/AIDS, and a person living with HIV.
As has been pointed out many times at this High Level Meeting, parliaments and their members have very important responsibilities in helping to curb the epidemic of HIV/AIDS.
Legislation is double-edged sword.
It can take peoples lives away if a wrong decision taken, but at the same time, if its applied with high spirit, it can save many lives and bring power to connect people.
For example, Many countries have adopted positive legislation such as legislation that prohibits discrimination against people living with HIV, legislation for school-age children to be educated on how to protect themselves from HIV, or laws that institute and protect harm reduction services, and so on.
Yet at the same time, laws criminalizing the drug-use, sex workers and men who have sex with men represent a significant legal impediment to implementation of harm reduction programs.
When person is labeled as criminal, it makes more difficult for him to go ask for a treatment.
Some countries even criminalize HIV transmission which will not ensure the Justice, or prevent transmission either.
In other words, without careful consideration before passing, HIV-specific legislation can easily stigmatize people with HIV, de-motivate them for testing, and give them a false sense of security. It makes a huge difference whether or not the Parliamentarians are aware of this or not.
Fortunately, more and more Parliamentarians have come to recognize the importance of their leadership on HIV/AIDS. Under the auspices of the IPU, they have held a series of meetings to discuss the challenges posed by HIV/AIDS and develop inter-parliamentary dialogue on the issue. One of The IPUs strong belief is that repealing or amending punitive legal approaches to the epidemic would create more effective environment for HIV responses.
The Advisory Group provides members of parliament with access to relevant policy expertise and skills to properly exercise their duties of lawmaking, oversight, leadership and advocacy. Special attention is paid to the protection of rights and the objective of achieving universal access to treatment, prevention, care and support.
Another key theme being pursued by the IPU Advisory Group on HIV/AIDS concerns access to HIV medicines. The provision of affordable antiretroviral treatment, which has improved the quality and prolonged the lives of many people infected with HIV, is a subject that encompasses human rights, intellectual property law and trade regulations. It is an important and complex field, in which the legislator can do much to set the right framework for enlightened policy.
The Advisory Group provides guidance to the national parliaments to support the enactment of appropriate intellectual property legislation and move countries closer to achieving universal access to HIV treatment.
Another important area where the Advisory Group is taking action concerns HIV-related restrictions on entry, stay and residence. Last year, the IPU governing bodies adopted recommendations calling for a complete elimination of HIV-related travel restrictions, opening the way for legislative reform which will bring this discrimination to an end. Since then, China and Namibia have repealed or amended their legislation. We hope that the countries that still impose these restrictions will join the growing list of countries that have lifted travel restrictions for non-nationals living with HIV.
The IPU also works to strengthen global parliamentary leadership on HIV/AIDS. Stigma and discrimination persist as an immense barrier to voluntary counseling and testing, treatment, care and support, all of which are essential elements in a successful HIV response effort.
The IPU Advisory Group on HIV/AIDS believes that it is a crucial time for parliamentarians to do more to engage with their constituencies on HIV/AIDS, and take a stronger and more visible stand in speaking openly about the disease and pushing back the forces of stigma. Its members encourage their fellow parliamentarians to stand up and speak out for groups that are most disadvantaged as a result of prejudice, discrimination and ignorance, and thereby prevent creation of further vulnerabilities on which the epidemic thrives.
The IPU also works to mobilize parliamentary involvement in major international HIV/AIDS events. Earlier this week the IPU and UNAIDS organized a parliamentary meeting on the occasion of the 2011 High Level Meeting on AIDS. I would like to highlight that the parliamentarians present at that meeting expressed the wish to continue to be involved in the work of the United Nations. They undertook to follow up on the debates and conclusions held during our meeting and the High Level Meeting in their respective countries.
When I was 19 years old, I sued Japanese government with other hemophilia patients over HIV-Contaminated blood products.
Though it was the big force involving many young people and media who sympathized with my cause, if the Parliamentarian didn’t pick up our voices, it would not have led to such a huge advance in HIV/AIDS treatment in Japan.
Their legislative actions not only advanced HIV treatment, but also erased my distrust in politics, and here I am, 35years old MP, happily married, living with HIV.
The experience 16years ago convinced me that everybody has freedom of choice, free will to live how they wish to live regardless of their illness or environment.
And the mission of Parliamentarian is not just to give remedy to people in need, but to create an environment in which everyone can choose how they live with pride, dignity, and the freedom of choice.
I want to let every single members of Parliament in the world know how beautiful and exciting their mission is, no matter how challenging it may look sometimes.
The IPU will be there to help members of parliament implement the this noble mission and commitments at the national level.
YES, making move in Politics is not always easy way, sometimes we feel very frustrating that situation don’t move as quickly as we wish.
When I feel that way, I always think about my friends and colleagues who share the same aspiration, friends who passed away with no treatment.
So after this event, when you go back to your country and feel the same way, please reach out your hands, let’s hold hand in hand across national borders, lets unite in solidarity. Please remember me, as living witness.
We IPU, are convinced that each of us plays important role, significant progress can be achieved.
Thank you.
以下、日本語訳です。
世界各国からお集まりの皆さま、本日ここにIPUを代表して発言する機会を頂きましたことを、深く感謝申し上げま す。
各国の国会議員を通して、行政、司法分野からＨＩＶ/ＡＩＤＳ問題に取り組むＩＰＵ（列国議員同盟）は、この問題について高い専門性を 持つアドバイザーグループの傘下で取り組みを進めています。
日本の国会議員である私自身は、アドバイザリーグループの一人であり、そしてまたＨＩＶと共に生きてきた人間でもあります。
世界の国会議員たちは、HIVウイルスの感染拡大防止というゴールにおいて、きわめて重要な役割を担っています。
政治とは間違った方向に進めば、人のいのちを奪ってしまう、けれど高い志とともに行使された時には、多くのいのちを救うこともできるの です。たとえば多くの国で取り入れられ始めている「HIV感染者に対する差別禁止法」は、それまで社会の片隅で目をふせて肩身の狭い思いをし ていた沢山の感染者に希望を与えました。しかしその一方で、性産業労働者や薬物使用者を犯罪者として取り締まる法律のように、感染者たちが病 気を公表したり検診を受けることをしにくい状況を作り出してしまう場合もあるのです。
その方向性を決めるのは、各国の政治です。
IPUがとても重要な役割を担う理由は、まさにここにあるのです。
素晴らしいことに、現在より多くの国会議員たちが、HIV問題に対する自分たちのリーダーシップの重要性を認識し始めています。
そしてIPUとそのアドバイザーグループは、いまこそ国会議員たちが目に見える形で行動を起こす時だと確信しています。
このことを強く裏付ける、私の個人的経験をお話しましょう。
あれは17才の時です。ＨＩＶウィルスに汚染された血液製剤から感染した私は、日本政府に対し訴訟を起こしました。
まだ若い私の身に起きた薬害と、政府や企業に対するその怒りに対し共感した若者やメディアによって、この裁判は国内外で大きな反響を呼 びました。
ですがあの時、心ある国会議員たちが私たちの声をすくい上げてくれなかったら、裁判の和解とそれに続くHIVエイズ治療の大きな前進は 実現しなかったのです。
そしてまた、国によって感染させられた私の中には、氷のような政治不信が横たわっていました。
ですが私と同じ目線に立ち、懸命に努力して政治を動かしてくれたあの議員たちが、その不信感を溶かしてくれたのです。
「人生にはまだまだ希望がある。病気を抱えた特別な患者としてではなく、自分もごく普通の人間としてあたり前の幸せを手にしていいん だ」という気持ちを、初めてもつことが出来たのです。
あれから25年以上たちますが、私はすっかり免疫もあがり、幸せな家庭を持ち、そして今もＨＩＶと共に生きています。
私はこう思うのです。
政治の役割とは、単にかわいそうな人々に救済を与えるというものではなく、病気や生まれ持った条件に関わらず、
誰もがプライドと尊厳を持ち、生き方を選ぶ自由を持てる環境をサポートすることではないかと。
それでも政治という枠組みの中ではさまざまな壁があるでしょう。日本にもまだまだ沢山のハードルがあります。
でもその壁の厚さにくじけそうになると、私はいつも目を閉じて思い浮かべるのです。
同じゴールを目指す沢山の仲間たちのこと、治療を受けられずにこの世を去っていった多くの友人たちのこと、
そして15年前のあの日、私に希望をくれた国会議員たちのことを。
みなさんもこの会議が終わってそれぞれの国に戻り、もしもそんな風に無力感を感じる時がきたら、どうか手をのばしてください。
私たちには、国境を越えてつながれる沢山の仲間がいるのです。
それでももしあなたがくじけそうになってしまった時は、私の姿を思い出してみてください。
私たちが共に目指すこのゴールが、どんなに限りなく貴い、価値あるものであるか、
ＨＩＶと共に生き続ける私が、何度でも思い出させます。
最後までご静聴ありがとうございました。
川田龍平
以下、英文です。
Mr. President,
Distinguished Ministers,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great honor for me to speak out on behalf of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
The IPU is assisting parliaments to deal with the issues of HIV/AIDS through its Advisory Group on HIV/AIDS, a group of qualified MPs from all over the world who have been working hard to raise awareness of the need for legislation.
I am a member of the parliament from Japan’s House of Councilors, one of the IPU Advisory Group on HIV/AIDS, and a person living with HIV.
As has been pointed out many times at this High Level Meeting, parliaments and their members have very important responsibilities in helping to curb the epidemic of HIV/AIDS.
Legislation is double-edged sword.
It can take peoples lives away if a wrong decision taken, but at the same time, if its applied with high spirit, it can save many lives and bring power to connect people.
For example, Many countries have adopted positive legislation such as legislation that prohibits discrimination against people living with HIV, legislation for school-age children to be educated on how to protect themselves from HIV, or laws that institute and protect harm reduction services, and so on.
Yet at the same time, laws criminalizing the drug-use, sex workers and men who have sex with men represent a significant legal impediment to implementation of harm reduction programs.
When person is labeled as criminal, it makes more difficult for him to go ask for a treatment.
Some countries even criminalize HIV transmission which will not ensure the Justice, or prevent transmission either.
In other words, without careful consideration before passing, HIV-specific legislation can easily stigmatize people with HIV, de-motivate them for testing, and give them a false sense of security. It makes a huge difference whether or not the Parliamentarians are aware of this or not.
Fortunately, more and more Parliamentarians have come to recognize the importance of their leadership on HIV/AIDS. Under the auspices of the IPU, they have held a series of meetings to discuss the challenges posed by HIV/AIDS and develop inter-parliamentary dialogue on the issue. One of The IPUs strong belief is that repealing or amending punitive legal approaches to the epidemic would create more effective environment for HIV responses.
The Advisory Group provides members of parliament with access to relevant policy expertise and skills to properly exercise their duties of lawmaking, oversight, leadership and advocacy. Special attention is paid to the protection of rights and the objective of achieving universal access to treatment, prevention, care and support.
Another key theme being pursued by the IPU Advisory Group on HIV/AIDS concerns access to HIV medicines. The provision of affordable antiretroviral treatment, which has improved the quality and prolonged the lives of many people infected with HIV, is a subject that encompasses human rights, intellectual property law and trade regulations. It is an important and complex field, in which the legislator can do much to set the right framework for enlightened policy.
The Advisory Group provides guidance to the national parliaments to support the enactment of appropriate intellectual property legislation and move countries closer to achieving universal access to HIV treatment.
Another important area where the Advisory Group is taking action concerns HIV-related restrictions on entry, stay and residence. Last year, the IPU governing bodies adopted recommendations calling for a complete elimination of HIV-related travel restrictions, opening the way for legislative reform which will bring this discrimination to an end. Since then, China and Namibia have repealed or amended their legislation. We hope that the countries that still impose these restrictions will join the growing list of countries that have lifted travel restrictions for non-nationals living with HIV.
The IPU also works to strengthen global parliamentary leadership on HIV/AIDS. Stigma and discrimination persist as an immense barrier to voluntary counseling and testing, treatment, care and support, all of which are essential elements in a successful HIV response effort.
The IPU Advisory Group on HIV/AIDS believes that it is a crucial time for parliamentarians to do more to engage with their constituencies on HIV/AIDS, and take a stronger and more visible stand in speaking openly about the disease and pushing back the forces of stigma. Its members encourage their fellow parliamentarians to stand up and speak out for groups that are most disadvantaged as a result of prejudice, discrimination and ignorance, and thereby prevent creation of further vulnerabilities on which the epidemic thrives.
The IPU also works to mobilize parliamentary involvement in major international HIV/AIDS events. Earlier this week the IPU and UNAIDS organized a parliamentary meeting on the occasion of the 2011 High Level Meeting on AIDS. I would like to highlight that the parliamentarians present at that meeting expressed the wish to continue to be involved in the work of the United Nations. They undertook to follow up on the debates and conclusions held during our meeting and the High Level Meeting in their respective countries.
When I was 19 years old, I sued Japanese government with other hemophilia patients over HIV-Contaminated blood products.
Though it was the big force involving many young people and media who sympathized with my cause, if the Parliamentarian didn’t pick up our voices, it would not have led to such a huge advance in HIV/AIDS treatment in Japan.
Their legislative actions not only advanced HIV treatment, but also erased my distrust in politics, and here I am, 35years old MP, happily married, living with HIV.
The experience 16years ago convinced me that everybody has freedom of choice, free will to live how they wish to live regardless of their illness or environment.
And the mission of Parliamentarian is not just to give remedy to people in need, but to create an environment in which everyone can choose how they live with pride, dignity, and the freedom of choice.
I want to let every single members of Parliament in the world know how beautiful and exciting their mission is, no matter how challenging it may look sometimes.
The IPU will be there to help members of parliament implement the this noble mission and commitments at the national level.
YES, making move in Politics is not always easy way, sometimes we feel very frustrating that situation don’t move as quickly as we wish.
When I feel that way, I always think about my friends and colleagues who share the same aspiration, friends who passed away with no treatment.
So after this event, when you go back to your country and feel the same way, please reach out your hands, let’s hold hand in hand across national borders, lets unite in solidarity. Please remember me, as living witness.
We IPU, are convinced that each of us plays important role, significant progress can be achieved.
Thank you.