The Estonian Network of People Living with HIV (www.ehpv.ee), on the eve of International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day, which is traditionally celebrated on the third Sunday of May, addressesresidents of Estonia, the government and municipalities of cities.

We all live through difficult times. We know that COVID-19 is a serious disease that has affected the country. Experience gained from the HIV epidemic can also be used to combat COVID-19.

We urge you to pay attention to people affected by COVID-19 who need our support. As it was with AIDS response, governments must work with communities to find solutions on local level.

Government, ministries, municipalities, and the population itself must respect the rights and dignity of people affected by COVID-19. Key populations should not bear the brunt of stigma and discrimination as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Forty years of fighting the HIV epidemic is an experience based on human rights and community orientation, which are key points in the fight against any epidemic. Building trust between affected communities, government, and the health system is also needed to effectively and quickly respond to the rapid spread of the pandemic.

We can say that viruses have captured our consciousness and our lives, but not the virus itself is important, but its consequences – stigma and discrimination. When the people infected by such “viruses”, it becomes important for us: what is your skin color, gender, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, the presence of a disease, etc. At the same time, the deeper the virus penetrates our consciousness, the more it forces to manifest: bias, injustice, violence. As a result, stigmatized person is left alone with his problem.

International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day, is one of the oldest and largest mobilization campaigns in the world to raise public awareness of HIV and AIDS in the world, serves as an important means of global solidarity, breaking down barriers of stigma and discrimination and giving hope to new generations.

The HIV epidemiological situation in Estonia continues to be difficult. The persistent high incidence of HIV infection, the steady growth rate of new infections, the increase in the total number of HIV-infected people, the “growing up” of the infection and its activation in the general population due to the increase in sexual transmission are real today. Over the years in Estonia, 10265 people were diagnosed with HIV, including 567 people with AIDS.

Modern medicine have allowed HIV infection to pass from the category of fatal to chronic. Having started treatment with antiretroviral drugs in time, and following all the doctor’s instructions, people living with HIV live a long and full life. There is no cure for AIDS, but there is an opportunity to slow down its development. As Estonia has access to antiretroviral therapy, HIV / AIDS must be seen as a disease, not a death sentence. But even now, death from AIDS arises due to the fact that an HIV-positive person is not able to receive specialized medical services and antiretroviral treatment on time.

Our common vision is zero new HIV cases, zero discrimination against people living with HIV and zero AIDS-related deaths, but this requires investment, open and honest dialogue about it between the government and society. When we recognize the scale of the effects of viruses on our lives, we will seek to minimize the risk of contracting them.

On the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day, we want to recall one more time that the human right to health is the basic right of every person. And no one has the right to deprive it! We wish, as never before, to mobilize all our efforts to eradicate stigma and discrimination, violation of human rights and bring a clear understanding that we are all vulnerable.

We hope that the COVID-19 pandemic, since the HIV epidemic did not quite cope with this at the time, will change the attitude generally to any problems in society related with viruses. It is very important to support those who are trying to confront these problems, regardless of the situation, age, gender, etc. It has long been clear to the PLHIV community that viruses do not forgive a frivolous attitude towards them. We hope that on this day this awareness will come to you.

Join us to light a candle for memory of people who died from AIDS and COVID-19.

1. Light a memorial candle on the terrace, balcony, garden or wherever it is comfortable for you 

2. Remember and pray for relatives, friends, acquaintances who have died of AIDS or COVID-19

3. Share your memory and photos with us on social networks and do not forget to tag us #ehpv or @ EHPV – Estonian HIV-Positive Network.

Info:

+372 5870 6070 (in Russian)
+372 5100504 (in Estonian)
+372 57816023 (in English)
ehpv@ehpv.ee

“We Remember. We Take Action. We Live Beyond HIV!”

We are excited to share with you the details of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial 2021, which will be held on Sunday May 16, 2021
The Memorial was started in 1983 by people living with HIV, to remember the lives lost to AIDS and to honour those who dedicated their lives to helping people living with and affected by HIV.
The Estonian Network PLWHIV over the years has continued to coordinate the efforts to make the day memorable and continue to mobilise our communities in solidarity in Estonia.

We are excited to share with you the recently updated International AIDS Candlelight Memorial website where we have information on global and local eventswith our perennial theme “We Remember. We Take Action. We Live Beyond HIV!”

https://www.candlelightmemorial.net/

Given the safety measures adopted by in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, like in the previous year Estonian Network PLWHIV encourages everyone to mark the day individually or virtually.
A more active role on social media will be necessary though to make this year’s commemoration a meaningful one.

We are all going through difficult times

2020 will remain in everyone’s memory for a long time. Starting with a child, who spent a long time in front of the screen, listening to the history teacher through Zoom, how the world works, and ending with an old lady, whom we will not see for a long time, walking in the park with her dog. History shows that viruses have always been and very often have a detrimental effect on humanity, but it also demonstrates the shortcomings and gaps of our society.

COVID-19 and HIV infection are two different diseases, but their consequences affect everyone in the same way. But despite all this and the experience gained during the HIV pandemic, unfortunately, is neglected and sometimes by everyone. Our community has learned to live with viruses, now everybody have to learn the basic things, such as respect for the health of others, respect for human rights, regardless of gender, age, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, social status, etc. But one thing is clear from all this, that only active involvement of the people in the fight against the virus and their consequences will save humanity as a whole.

December 1 – World AIDS Day was first proclaimed by WHO since 1988 and since that time we have achieved a lot, but the most important thing is that modern medicine have already allowed HIV infection to move from the category of fatal to the category of chronic diseases. By starting antiretroviral therapy on time and following all the doctor’s prescriptions, people living with HIV can live long and full lives. There is no cure for AIDS, but it is possible to slow down its development. Since there is access to antiretroviral therapy in Estonia, HIV / AIDS must be viewed as a disease and not as a death sentence.

When we realize the magnitude of the impact of viruses on our lives, we will strive to minimize the risk of contracting them. But for this there is still a lot to do. First, we need an open dialogue, where we can find the right solution. Secondly, investments are needed, and not small ones, which will facilitate the fate of every Estonian.

On World AIDS Day, we want to remind once again that the human right to health is a basic right of each of us. And no one has the right to deprive us of it! We wish, more than ever before, to mobilize all our efforts to eradicate stigma and discrimination, violations of human rights and to bring a clear understanding that we are all vulnerable.

We hope that the COVID-19 pandemic, since the HIV epidemic did not quite cope with this in its time, will change the attitude in general to any problems in society associated with viruses. It is very important to support those who are trying to confront these problems, regardless of the situation, age, gender, etc.

To increase public awareness of the real HIV situation, to destroy myths and stereotypes surrounding HIV, and to support acceptance and create a favorable environment for PLHIV, the Estonian Network of PLHIV produced a film featuring Tatiana Kosmynina: “I am positive. HIV positive 2020. “, which reflects our life.

Involvement of famous people, whose tolerant attitude and attention to HIV and AIDS can be an example and influence social norms and behavior. Celebrities have a significant impact not only by drawing attention to issues related to stigma and discrimination in the context of HIV, but also shaping public attitudes towards People Living with HIV.

Join us on December 1st to show your support in the fight against viruses and to honor the people who have died from AIDS and COVID-19.

1. Light a memorial candle on the terrace, balcony, garden or wherever it suits you

2. Remember and pray for relatives, friends, acquaintances who died from AIDS or COVID-19

3. Share your memory and photo with us on social networks and do not forget to tag us with #ehpv or @ EHPV – Eesti HIV-positiivsete võrgustik

TALLINN

December 1, 2020
Lighting candles in the form of a ribbon of tolerance and in memory of people who died of AIDS
Time and place: 15:00, in front of the Superministry building, Suur-Ameerika 1

NARVA

December 1, 2020
Lighting candles in the form of a ribbon of tolerance and in memory of people who died of AIDS
Time and place: 12:00, Petrovskaya square

Johvi

December 1, 2020
Lighting candles in the form of a ribbon of tolerance and in memory of people who died of AIDS
Time and place: 12:00, Central Square

Events supporters:
ECOM – Eurasian Coalition for Health, Rights, Gender and Sexual Diversity www.ecom.ngo
National Institute for Health Development. www.tai.ee
Eurasian Harm Reduction Association (EHRA) www.harmreductioneurasia.org

Info:
+372 5870 6070 in Russian
+3725100504 in Estonian
+37257816023 in English
ehpv@ehpv.ee

Chase stigma, not people!

Estonian Network of PLHIV.

From July 2020 the Estonian Network of People Living with HIV (EHPV) is implementing their first Eastern Europe and Central Asia region project- “Protection through Mobility: An Emergency Response to Hostility”. The project goal is to create protection mechanisms and ensure access to healthcare services according to the highest attainable standards of physical and mental health for MSM and trans people, including those HIV+, who experienced SOGI-based state-sponsored prosecutions in the Caucasus region of Russia, as well as Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

Erika! You are the great mind behind the project. Please, tell us how the project idea emerged and why it is important for you?

Back in early 2019, during the second wave of prosecutions of gay man in Chechnya, my colleagues and I started brainstorming on what could we do on this matter, how can we be helpful. Unfortunately, it turned out that planned development programmes aiming to improve the well-being of LGBTQ communities in the EECA region could not fit in rather costly unplanned activities to provide sufficient support to those in need of emergency assistance in potentially life-threatening environments. This put me think that an emergency-oriented project is needed, in order to be able to contribute to the safety and security of LBGTQ people in the region in a meaningful and timely manner.

Having worked in/with all Central Asian countries on different social matters, including LGBTQ-specific issues, I was aware that despite rather unfavourable legal and social environments for the communities in most of the Republics, like exposure to stigma and state-sponsored discrimination, as well as a lack of legal protection mechanisms, the two countries with the most difficult situation are Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The criteria is simple: Turkmen and Uzbek governments and legal systems still consider homosexuality to be a crime leading to imprisonment as a punishment.

Therefore, with help of my colleagues, I decided to create a project that would enable the project team to provide an emergency response to hostility for those LGBTQ people residing in particularly high-risk environments. In order to make this concept more nuanced and work not only towards the safety of individuals experiencing hostility already, but also to contribute to improvements of the environments in focus, an advocacy part was introduced. By carries out the planned advocacy activities, we, the project team, plan to move forward with decriminalising homosexuality in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, as well us to showcase the situation in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, and in particular in Chechnya, to the international community which can later pressure respective governments to create more inclusive legislations.

Karolin, you are the project coordinator. Please, tell us how the project goals will be achieved and why you are part of this project team?

The project goal will be achieved by unveiling and spreading information on lawful migration channels from a beneficiary’s country of residence (Russia, Turkmenistan, or Uzbekistan) to Estonia by advocating for granting entry visas to Estonia on humanitarian grounds. Respective cases of human rights violations would be documented upon arrival and applied in advocacy for improving legal and factual environments in respective countries by submitting alternative reports to UN treaty bodies. Access to HIV and other healthcare services for displaced MSM and trans people would be improved by creating a clear and state-approved procedure for gaining access to antiretroviral therapy in Estonia for newly arrived MSM and trans people.

The question: “Why am I part of the project team?” has quite a simple answer. Because I want to work with a topic close to my heart. My professional interest is primarily the topic of refugees. In the summer of 2019, I graduated Tal Tech master’s degree in International Relations and European-Asian Studies Cum Laude, where my master’s thesis studied the possibility of granting legal refugee status to persons forcibly displaced by climate change under the UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. I have worked with immigrants and refugees in Estonia at the Harku Detention Center as a recreation specialist, in the media team at the Yaffa cultural centre in Balata Refugee Camp in Palestine, as a training coordinator at the NGO Johannes Mihkelson Center in the project „Meie Eesti: inimesed, kohad, helid, maitsed“ and at the moment I work as a project coordinator in NGO Tartu International House project „Uued lapsed koolis: uussisserändajatega seotud väljakutsed Eesti koolides ja kohanemise toetamine“. I have been supporting the integration process of immigrants in Estonia for several years. However, I am interested not only on supporting the integration process of immigrants in Estonia but to focus on the legal bases and procedures for granting refugee status in Estonia and to stand up for equal rights and fair treatment for everyone. This project allows me to do just that.

Yuri, you are working in this project as an advocacy advisor in the human rights field. Please, tell us why this project is important and why you decided to support it with your expertise?

For over three years I have been working at ECOM – Eurasian Coalition on Health, Rights, Gender and Sexual Diversity as Human Rights and Legal Issues Coordinator. Together with the team I work every day to create enabling legal and social environment conducive of the right to health in EECA, where every and each gay men or trans* persons can fully enjoy their rights and freedoms. Unfortunately, countries like Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Russian Federation are the toughest to work with, and we need to put double- or even triple efforts compared to other countries, if we want to achieve some feasible results related to positive legislative changes there.
My experience shows that international advocacy remains one of the most powerful source of those changes in project countries, therefore, I’ve decided to join the team and advice on how to use such instruments as UPR (Universal Periodic Review) and UN Treaty Bodies to strengthen the already powerful interventions of “Protection through Mobility” project team. At the end of the day, we are all working to achieve the same goal – to make this world a better place to those who identify as LGBTQI. Therefore, I am in.

The first HIV case in Estonia was diagnosed in 1988, and by December 31st, 2019 a total of 10,079 HIV cases have been reported1. Men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender people have been identified as the groups most at risk of HIV infection by the WHO2. 2018 HIV surveillance data from EU/EEA countries indicates that sex between men accounted for the largest proportion of all new HIV diagnoses in 2018 – 40%3. It is estimated that there are up to 9,000 homo- and bisexual men in Estonia4. Sexual risk behaviors are common, for example half of the MSM do not use condoms consistently in casual relationships, and this has not changed in 7 the last 10 years5. HIV prevalence among MSM is estimated to be 2–4% and it has been stable in the last years6.

EHPV is an organization promoting communities living with HIV. Their goal is to increase via effective partnership and active advocacy efforts the influence of the PLHIV community on improving access to timely, comprehensive and quality treatment, care and support for adults and children living with HIV in EECA countries.