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Open Society Institute Assistance-Armenia initiated a campaign on “HIV/AIDS and Human Rights” from December 4 to 6.

The organizations “HCA Vanadzor”, “Anti-drug Civil Union”, “Real World, Real People” and “Need for public information and knowledge”, “Huys and Ognutyun” took part in the campaign.

Within the framework of the campaign round tables and TV programs in Gyumri and Vanadzor were organized on December 4 and 5. Representatives from NGOs, advocates and doctors participated in the round tables. During the discussions the problems of vulnerable groups, such as drug users, homosexuals, people delivering sexual services, as well as people with HIV/AIDS were presented. Importance was attached to the protection of the rights of the abovementioned groups and to the formation of tolerant attitude towards them as a guarantee for HIV/AIDS prevention and relief of the consequences of the epidemic.

Artur Sakunts, the coordinator of HCA Vanadzor said that though the state implements programs directed towards the epidemic prevention, the issue of legal protection of those vulnerable groups are not regulated yet. There is also necessity for ensuring access to healthcare services. “Today people with HIV/AIDS are afraid of undergoing medical examination as they think they will be subjected to discrimination”-said the head of NGO “Real World Real People” Hovhannes Madoyan, – “whereas the positive change among the public is for their own benefit, because discriminative attitude promotes spread of the infection.”

Artur Potosyan, the head of Anti-drug Civil Union, mentioned that the infection was spread in all post-Soviet countries through people who injected drugs. It is already known that injection of drugs is the second reason for HIV spread. It was only this year that heterosexual way of HIV transmission was recognized as the main reason. However, the drug users do not trust the doctors and are not sure that their data will be confidential; they do not apply to healthcare institutions in order to undergo examination for HIV check. To reduce infection spread, harm reduction programs are implemented in a number of countries, including Armenia, the goal of which is to reduce harm caused by drugs and to reduce the risk of HIV infection.

Mamikon Hovsepyan, the head of NGO “Need for public information and knowledge” mentionedthat homosexuals do not apply to medical institutions due to discriminative attitude and even if they apply, they keep the information on their sexual orientation in secret. As a result, the examination is not adequate; the health of homosexuals is under serious risk. In most cases, the employees of medical institutions show discrimination and they do not provide them with relevant assistance or they violate the principle of confidentiality.

Hayarpi Edilyan, the director of Lori branch of “Huys and Ognutyun” NGO, presented some facts when the doctor refused to deliver service to a woman who had told him/her that she was infected with HIV. “There is great discrimination against those who deliver sex services. Employers refuse to employ them, which inhibits their integration into society and change in their way of life”- said Hayarpi Edilyan.

To conclude, a number of rights of vulnerable groups are violated due to intolerant attitude, though human rights are very important in the world fight against HIV/AIDS.

At the end of the discussion, the participants were convinced that it was necessary to work with society and employees of medical institutions.