Topic: Rights of HIV-Positive Individuals
Country: Egypt
Delegate Name: Rachel Nichols
School: Roeper School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Egypt position papers GLIMUN 2010 committees
Egypt believes in protecting both the health of society and the rights of HIV positive individuals. Beginning in October 2007, Egypt has arrested and detained citizens on the suspicion of being positive for the HIV virus. This was done to prevent the spread of the virus. Questions in the international community were raised as it threatened human rights and subjected citizens to involuntary testing. These efforts could spread the virus as those who were HIV positive would not seek treatment, fearing imprisonment. The current case of people randomly tested and imprisoned is misrepresented.
The men imprisoned on the suspicion of having the virus were in an altercation on the streets, which drew attention to the police who at the time did not suspect any man of being HIV positive until one man admitted that he indeed was HIV positive. Therefore, citizens should not fear being tested for the virus as separation will allow the government to be aware of the frequency of the virus and because of that, be able to treat those infected effectively. Because of this occurrence, reaching out to the lower class through programs as well as calling for government funding is necessary.
The number of persons recently affected with HIV dropped from 3 million in 2001 to 2.7 million in 2007. This was made possible by increased access to diagnostic, treatment, and prevention of the virus. Egypt seeks more positive relations with Western nations by improving religious tolerance and supported negotiations between Syria and Lebanon that would smooth the path to an end to Arab-Israeli conflict by putting the Arab Peace Initiative in place supported by all Arab nations in bordering Israel. Yet recent actions such as Western criticism of the imprisonment of those suspected of being HIV positive have weakened those relations.
The United States has attempted to put in effect a survey along with the Arab International Center for Fighting against AIDS and interviewed seventy-eight citizens affected by the virus about their place in society, marriages, employment opportunities, and medical care. This was meant to raise awareness in Egypt of those infected and help the government have a clearer understanding of the people themselves. This type of partnership is welcomed by Egypt, and should be promoted between developing and developed nations. Egypt seeks to build consensus with other nations about the rights of HIV Positive Individuals, yet continue to protect the public health of all citizens. Egypt is willing to work with all nations to achieve these goals.
