Hi All friends,
Still remember me? I am Aldo from OPSI
(Indonesian Sex Workers Organization) It feels so good when we do
small meetings at the Activist Zone in formulating protests and demonstrations strategies during the IAC 2010 in Vienna last
As you may know, the next International AIDS Conference is
scheduled to be held in the US
in 2012.
This is problematic for sex worker/ drug user communities
in that the US has
innumerable travel restrictions on sex workers and drug users (e.g. anyone
with a history of sex work or drug use, or a conviction for sex work or drug
use can be denied entry/ a visa to visit the
US ). Given that sex workers and
drug users are key affected populations in the HIV epidemic, it seems illogical
to hold the International AIDS Confernce in the
US . Similarly, given that the
US is the biggest global proponent of the war on drugs, and is also responsible
for USAID's 'anti-prostitution pledge', I'm guessing that sex worker/ drug
user communities were not consulted in the decision to hold the next IAC in the
US. (Until recently, the US
also had a ban on HIV+ people being allowed access to the country).
A letter to the IAC asking that the conference be moved
to a more suitable country (which doesnt discriminate against our
communities) , has been drafted by international activists, and is being
circulated for individuals/ organisations to sign/ endorse.
Please consider signing this letter and send it to Sera
Sippel, who will forward the collated letters/ signatures to the IAC.
(See letter from Sera below). Sera's email adress is Ssippel@genderhealt h.org
Please also consider circulating this email to other sex
worker/ drug user lists you may be a member of..
Note: sorry
if double post
Best wishes to all,
Ferraldo Saragi (Aldo) (OPSI) Indonesian Sex Workers Organization
Dear Women ARISE partners,
It was so great to see many of you in Vienna
last week, and thanks to Mabel and others for all the great work bringing
together women’s groups in all of our diversities.
As some of you know, during Vienna there was
much discussion about U.S.
travel bans on sex workers and drug users. Many of us are very concerned
about the rights violations, as well as the ability to create a safe space in
the US for sex workers
and drug users at an IAC in the United
States . As much as I would love
to have AIDS 2012 held in my hometown of DC, we are asking IAS to move
the conference. We have a small window of opportunity for the request to
be successful, and I hope that members of Women ARISE will sign-on to the
attached letter to IAS, making the case for why the IAC should be moved
outside of the US in
2012.
Please send me your organization’s name if you agree to sign on to the
letter.
I hope we can count on your support and solidarity!
Best,
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