Stigma and discrimination against people living with or vulnerable to HIV remain widespread and stop people accessing treatment, Director of UNAIDS Asia and the Pacific Steven Kraus told People's Daily Online on Sunday.

The following is the excerpt of People's Daily Online's written interview with Kraus on this year' s World AIDS Day：

PD Online: What discrimination is faced by people living with HIV/AIDS at present?

Kraus: Sadly, too many people living with HIV and people from key populations at highest risk, still suffer extreme levels of stigma and discrimination. This stigma and discrimination can manifest itself in many ways— in school, at work, in medical settings, in communities, within families and even self-stigma felt by people living with and affected by HIV themselves.

Because of stigma and discrimination, many people are afraid to get tested for HIV, to take up HIV prevention and treatment, to disclose their HIV status, and to participate in national HIV responses. They also have little chance of getting legal redress for HIV-related harms. Women continue to face discrimination and violence that make them more vulnerable to HIV, and young people often cannot access information and services for life-skills and sexual health. The criminalization of people who are at higher risk of infection, such as men who have sex with men, sex workers, transgender people and people who use drugs, drives them underground and away from HIV services. This increases their vulnerability to HIV, as well as to stigma, discrimination, marginalization and violence. Many people living with or vulnerable to HIV do not know their rights or the local laws that might protect them.

Transforming these challenges takes leadership and courage at the highest political levels, as well as among those living with and vulnerable to HIV.

People affected by HIV have, over the years, led their communities and countries towards effective HIV prevention, fought for and won access to treatment, and demanded equality, dignity and respect. They have been, and remain, critical agents for the social and legal changes necessary for effective HIV responses.

Eliminating stigma and discrimination is one of the central goals and visions of UNAIDS’ work. One of our ‘Three Zeros” is the vision of getting to Zero Discrimination – and we are working as hard and as quickly as possible towards the eventual eliminating of stigma and discrimination.

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• Full text of interview with Steven Kraus, Director of UNAIDS Asia and the Pacific