AEGiS-MISC: Serious diplomatic crisis: Spain denies visas to participants of the AIDS Conference in Barcelona

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Serious diplomatic crisis: Spain denies visas to participants of the AIDS Conference in Barcelona

Red 2002 - June 18, 2002
Joan Tallada

In an incomprehensible move, Spain is denying visas to participants of the XIV Conference of the AIDS to be held in Barcelona from July 7-12 of July, an event that the country's Ministry of Health, has contributed 300,000 euros to. It is a whopping contradiction as it is scholarship holders and people from developing countries, many of whom are from Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) or are HIV positive and whose expenses are paid by the Conference, thanks to a program that the Spanish government has helped to create. Nevertheless, entrance visas are not being granted.

"We are absolutely ashamed and indignant that this is happening", declared Joan Tallada, on behalf of the Red2002, an organization coordinating the participation of Spanish NGOs "How much sense does it make to fund a Conference and then prevent people from participating? Why contribute money to a program; why pay for airplane tickets, and then prevent these same people from traveling? They are throwing away the money of those who contributed it".

The most affected countries are from Asia, like India (with 10 million people living with HIV), Bangladesh and Pakistan, and Africa, like Uganda (arguably one of the most important delegations), the Ivory Coast and Kenya. But the most chaotic situation is in Colombia where the recent visa requirements has caused up to 3-day line-ups in front of Spanish consulates in order only to apply for a visa. With luck, the consulate will grant appointments within six months!

Shaun Mellors, Community Coordinator for the International Conference, is at a loss: "the International AIDS Conference is not held in the U.S.A. because of this kind of problem. When Barcelona was chosen, we were guaranteed that participants would not have any problem. Let us hope that this is resolved, or we will have to refrain from holding this type of conference in countries with such restrictive entrance policies."

In previous presentations to the press, the people in charge of the Conference have demonstrated their satisfaction at the success of the conference and the special emphasis given to relations with Latin America and countries from the developing world. This further contradicts the present situation. "Spain's image before the international AIDS community is in jeopardy " stated Tallada. "This AIDS Conference must give continuity to the agenda of the previous conference in Durban, and the focus on the situation in developing countries where the vast majority of the epidemic is occurring. If the people of those countries cannot come to Spain, the Conference will lose its value and its legitimacy. It is an insult to people who already live a tremendous injustice by their lack of resources and access to treatment".

Tallada demands the direct intervention of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to inform Spanish consulates throughout the world to end this situation.

For more information:

Joan Tallada

Local Community Chair 14th International AIDS Conference Barcelona, 7-12 July 2002 www.aids2002.com

Facilitator Red 2002 [Network 2002] www.red2002.org

c/o gTt www.gtt-vih.org Carrer del Pi, 10 08002 Barcelona Spain

Phone: + 34 93 412 00 83 Mobile: + 34 637 464 803 Fax: + 34 93 317 22 23
020618
RD020601

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