Cameroon AIDS fighters to 76Crimes: Help us make 2024 conference a success
‘This crucial conference will help us meet AIDS reduction goals’
In response to an article published here on July 17, a group of doctors and human rights activists want to make sure that Cameroonian citizens realize the importance of next year’s AFRAVIH anti-AIDS conference.
The article “The challenge of holding an anti-AIDS conference in an anti-gay nation”, mentioned the barrage of criticism that led to cancellation of June’s planned visit to Cameroon by Jean-Marc Berthon, the French ambassador for LGBT+ rights. Cameroonian civil society organizations had invited him to visit to discuss gender issues.
Concerned that that article cast a negative light on AFRAVIH, conference organizers sent the following response:
We, the organizations involved in the preparation of the upcoming AFRAVIH 2024 conference in Yaoundé, have taken note of this article which highlights the issues and challenges we face to organize this event. It’s true that we face legal, cultural and security legal, cultural and security obstacles to promoting the health and rights of key populations in Cameroon. However, we would like to clarify a few points raised in the article.
First of all, we’d like to emphasize that the AFRAVIH conference is not just for key populations [those most at risk of HIV infection], but that it is aimed at all health actors involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections. It is a scientific event that aims to share knowledge, experiences, advances and best practices prevention, screening, treatment and care of people living with HIV/AIDS. The conference is open to all healthcare professionals, whether they be doctors, nurses, pharmacists, researchers, educators, social workers or community organizations.
Next, we would like to remind you that the AFRAVIH conference benefits from the support and sponsorship of several national and international institutions. sponsorship of several national and international institutions, such as the Cameroon Prime Ministry of Public Health, the World Health Organization and UNAIDS. These partners are all equally responsible for the organization of this conference and ensure compliance with ethical standards. Finally, there are channels of exchange and discussion between the organizing teams and the country’s security authorities.
We would also remind you that the awarding of such a conference is host country’s obligation to guarantee access to its territory by granting visas without discrimination or stigmatization to anyone who meets the conditions for entry into Cameroon; the availability of infrastructure to host the conference and accommodate participants and the guarantee of security for all participants during the conference period (on and off site). Our country has met these conditions, and to date none of them has been revoked.
However, we are aware that the issue of the Rights of Key Populations remains sensitive and controversial in our country, but thanks to the health component these populations benefit from health support, and it is with this in mind that the State of Cameroon is the main recipient of projects such as “Accelerating the prevention of new key populations to reduce HIV-related morbidity and mortality by morbidity and mortality by 2023”, funded by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and the CHILL [Community HIV/AIDS Investments for Longer and Healthier Lives] project, financed by Pepfar [the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief], which implements health and human rights with a focus on key populations.
We are aware of 76Crimes’ community commitment to supporting sex and gender minority organizations in the fight for respect for their rights. To do this, it’s important to ensure that the articles published contribute to this, rather than to the worsening climate.
We therefore reiterate our willingness to work in close collaboration with 76Crimes and in synergy with all organizations and media outlets to make available the right information about this crucial conference for our community, which will contribute to achieving [AIDS-fighting goals] UNAIDS 95 95 95 targets in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and to progress on the three 10s. For this reason, we have sent this reply to you. We would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm to all stakeholders (steering committee) of our determination to continue working together (state, civil society, media) to ensure the full success of this conference.
Signed,
- Kevin Ambah Evina. executive director of Affirmative Action.
- KAMEN LIWANDJI Mathias, executive director of CAMFAIDS
- KOUANKEP Chanel, psychologist and defender of trans people’s rights
- Sandrine ATEH, executive director of AVAF (Association for Advancement of Women)
- Dr. KOUANFACK Charles, Central Hospital of Yaoundé
- Franz MANANGA, director of Alternatives Cameroun
- Jacques Ombilitek, program director, national coordinator of the Global Fund
- Joseph MESSINGA, permanent secretary of Fierté Afrique Francophone
- Silvère TCHOMNOU, advocacy officer of Affirmative Action
