Immunization is a key ingredient in helping children attain the highest attainable standard of health.
The United States was again the sole dissenter in separate votes of 52 to 1 on resolutions on the right to food and the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.
The statement is signed by El Hadji Malick Sow, chair of the UN working group on arbitrary detention; Juan E Méndez, UN special rapporteur on torture; Ben Emmerson QC, UN special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights; and Anand Grover, UN special rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.
The other pact signed Thursday, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, requires countries to ensure the right to work, fair wages, freedom to form and join trade unions, social security, education and the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.
"the right to the highest attainable standard of health should be the cornerstone of any consideration of health and human rights" (Hunt and Backman 2008).
This right was further clarified in article 12 or the ICESCR which recognises "the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health".
Similarly the right to health is also not interpreted as freedom from disease, but as the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health (cf. UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights [2000]).
Because it's a coercive and stigmatizing measure that discourages people from seeking voluntary counseling, testing, and treatment, it violates the right to the highest attainable standard of health.
The World Health Organization's constitution states that "the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being".
The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.
We urged Kenyans to vote wisely and to remember the Bill of Rights that promised clean water, a quality environment, and the highest attainable standard of health care.
