The meeting comprised a number of experts, human rights activists from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and media professionals, in addition to a group of Muslim and Christian religious leaders.

 

 

The objectives of the meeting meant to bring about profound discussions on groups that are most vulnerable to infection with HIV in the Arab region. Participants analyzed the current situation with the purpose of formulating a future strategy to overcome obstacles of reaching to these groups, in order to eliminate the spread of HIV/AIDS among them, thus, protecting them and the communities where they live.

 

Also, the meeting sought to provide sufficient information, and reflective thoughts by presenting a number of researches and preliminary specialized studies in this regard, which have been required by the participants of the first meeting convened on the same subject from 14 to 16 December 2008 in Ain Sokhna, Egypt with the aim of gaining a broader and more comprehensive understanding of the issue.

 

Participants in the workshop expressed their concerns regarding the rising HIV infection rates among these groups, particularly in light of the spread of the culture of stigma and discrimination, and the absence of second generation studies, statistics and surveys that accurately monitor HIV infection rates in the Arab region. On this basis, the participants affirmed the necessity of positive response by all community sectors in order to ensure HIV/AIDS prevention and care, and guarantee the fulfillment of human rights.

 

Experiments and Experiences

 

 

 

In this context also, a number of participants presented their experiences on the best means of tackling the issue in Arab countries. Others provided different images and models that media uses to portray  these groups in typical Arab media such as TV, cinema, printed newspapers or non-traditional media such as internet websites and blogs.

 

Moreover, the participants emphasized the importance of religious discourse, roles of Muslim and Christian religious leaders in achieving positive progress in reaching out to these groups in the Arab region, through formulating a more influential and compassionate discourse.

 

Finally, all participants affirmed that human rights are a whole unit, that cannot be divided, and that the rights to life, work, education and treatment are guaranteed to everybody, including people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) without looking for the reasons behind their infection, based on what was stipulated by all religions and principles of human rights of respecting personal privacy without tracing people’s faults.