Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 22 February (BelTA) – According to UNAIDS, Belarus demonstrates very good results in combating HIV/AIDS, Dmitry Mironchik, head of the information and digital diplomacy office, spokesman for the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told the media on 22 February, BelTA has learned.

Within the framework of the Belarus' National Human Rights Action Plan for 2016-2019, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched the campaign entitled as Partnership for Safe and Effective Support to People with HIV/AIDS, timed to Zero Discrimination Day marked on 1 March. The partners are the Healthcare Ministry and the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) in Belarus.

According to the spokesman for the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the event will raise awareness of the problems of the people with HIV/AIDS, demonstrate Belarus’ experience in combating this pandemic, consider problematic issues and outline ways to address them. Special consideration will be given to the measures to prevent and combat stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV.

The event will be attended by MPs, representatives of the government bodies, public associations, diplomatic corps, and international organizations. Belarus’ Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrei Dapkiunas will participate in the event on behalf of the ministry.

Zero Discrimination Day was instituted on the initiative of the UNAIDS in 2014 and is marked on 1 March. The main goal is to draw attention to the problems of people living with HIV/AIDS, both in terms of medical treatment and stereotypical attitudes, to prevent discrimination against them. Recently Zero Discrimination Day has acquired a broader context and calls to celebrate diversity, tolerance and inclusion of people regardless of their racial, national, religious, social, sexual, age.