If HIV/AIDS is a threat to peace and security, what is the limit? - S/RES/1983

S/RES/1983 represents one of those stretches of a fundamental concept so it can fit something else. Or does it sound reasonable that HIV/AIDS is a threat to international peace and security? The resolution makes no reference to any specific situation in which HIV/AIDS had become a threat to international peace and security. In order to make this issue one that is minimally connected to the the main task of the UNSC, which is the maintenance of international peace and security, they focus on area of international conflict. The tone of the whole resolution is closer to a resolution from the Economic and Social Council or the General Assembly rather than other resolutions from the Security Council.

The issues addressed by the resolution are permeated by concerns with HIV/AIDS in areas that are thorn by conflict. Nonetheless, generalities such as “Reaffirming the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS of 2001 (A/RES/S-26/2), and the Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS of 2006 (A/RES/60/262) including its commitment towards the goal of universal access to prevention, treatment, care and support which will require renewed efforts at, local, national, regional and international levels,” are more common to non-Security Council resolutions. The resolution works within the framework already established by other UN organs, calling for observance of Millennium Development Goals, the roles of Ecosoc and General Assembly.

The novelty and connection that his made in order to justify the issue being in the UNSC instead of other organs is the stress of involving elements of HIV/AIDS prevention to peacekeeping operations. In this regard, they also put forward elements of differentiated impact in women and girls in areas of conflict. It also calls on the Secretary-General to provide information on the developments that take place in the issue-area.

The whole issue with S/RES/1983 is that it is simply a resolution out of place. The issues that the resolution deal with can be of importance for the United Nations, nonetheless, the treatment that they receive in the UNSC is out of character. Considering HIV/AIDS as a threat to international peace and security without any other underlining issue, begs one to question: if personal health is a threat to international peace and security, what isn’t?