Promoting and protecting health and respecting, protecting and fulfilling human rights are inextricably linked, and every country in the world is now party to at least one human rights treaty that addresses health-related rights, and the conditions necessary for health. The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognizes that "Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family..".

Governments are obligated to respect, protect and fulfill the “right to health” by taking positive actions that ensure access to high quality health services and by refraining from or preventing negative actions that interfere with health. Human Rights Watch is committed to researching and advocating on behalf of populations that are being denied their right to health.