Uzbek HIV activist sentenced to 7 years imprisonment
Maksim Popov, a psychologist and head of the non-governmental organization known in Uzbekistan for its energetic work with drug users and sex workers, has been sentenced to seven years imprisonment as a result of his HIV prevention efforts. Popov is leader of the NGO “Izis,” created by young professional medical and mental health workers, and funded by donors such as the US Agency for International Development and the Department for International Development (UK) to conduct activities such as individual and group counselling services, provision of sterile injection equipment, training for an AIDS education hotline, and anti-drug education for young people.
While the proceedings of Popov’s trial have not been made public, observers say that he was convicted of "improper misuse of needles" and fiscal impropriety. This is despite the fact that Uzbekistan's national policy includes support for needle exchange as a means of reducing transmission of HIV, and that Izis consistently received favourable ratings in program reviews conducted by its international donors. The charges of fiscal impropriety come in the wake of years of harassment of NGOs by the Uzbek government via such measures as restricting or blocking access to foreign funds in bank accounts, repeated tax audits, and threatening visits from secret police or others urging NGO heads to close their organizations to avoid trouble. Popov kept Izis open even when the government blocked all access to funds, operating without pay and in collaboration with local community councils and volunteers.
The climate in Uzbekistan makes it impossible for people within the country to speak out. Those of us who have worked with Maksim Popov know him to be a witty, humble, curious, enthusiastic and effective educator and psychologist. We urge the international donors who supported him to break the silence on HIV, as well as all those who care about effective HIV prevention education, to speak out for his release. This prolonged prison sentence will have devastating effects on him and his family. Declaring amnesty, by contrast, will show that the government recognizes him as among those who have worked to protect the people of Uzbekistan, and the next generations, from drugs and HIV.
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Comments
Uzbek HIV activist sentenced
HIV prevention programmes and services reach less than 10% of those who should receive them.2 This is largely due to the lack of funding for HIV treatment and prevention and limited involvement of those most affected by HIVin resource allocation decisions. At times, implementing governments, agencies and organisations lack the necessary expertise or resources to reach the populations that most need HIV services and programmes.
Uzbek HIV activist sentenced
I think it is a crime of the government not only towards Maxim Popov but to all people who live in Uzbekistan. The situation with AIDs and HIV is very complicated nowadays espesially in the countries of the former Soviet Union. Here is the most recent research http://www.tubesfan.com/watch/truth-about-aids-facts-about-hiv-virus-spr... . I cannot understand how can a country can be interested in the decreasing of people in the country. Instead of giving help or at least not interfering the government kills any desire to help.
health support
This is completely outrageous... How can they send that guy to jail? This is just a scheme so they can get him out of the picture. Maybe Uzbekistan should think about investing in some drug rehab treatment centers because they surely need that. Have you seen the drug consumption rate in their country? It is huge...