Activities in support of groups in need

 In the context of better protection of the rights of citizens living with HIV/AIDS and of cooperation between local organizations, the AHC began in 2005 cooperation with the Albanian association PLWHA (Persons Living With Hiv/Aids), the Institute of Public Health, the Infective Illnesses Clinic at the University Center of hte "Mother Teresa" Hospital to carry out a number of joint events. In that context, we realized events whose main goal was to make groups at risk or living with HIV/AIDS aware of their rights.

On May 23, 2005, AHC organized the seminar “Preventing HIV/AIDS/STI in prisons" with women and girls serving their prison sentences. The goal of the seminar was to increase the information of this group on issues related to HIV/AIDS and problems of that category while in conditions of deprivation of liberty and imprisonment. The seminar mainly focused on the way HIV is transmitted and protection measures, testing, preliminary counseling for the affected patients, the social status of persons suffering from HIV and the community's reactions toward these persons. Participating in the seminar were the Albanian association PLWHA, the Albanian Helsinki Committee, the Institute of Public Health, and medical doctors working at the Infective Illnesses Department.

On May 27, 2005, the Committee organized the seminar "Women's social status in the Albanian society and future challenges" with students of the Social Sciences Faculty. Its goal was to increase the volume of information on problems of women infected with HIV, the role of psychologists and social workers in treating HIV patients, adn the fight against their stigmatization and discrimination. Another objective of the meeting was to expand information on medical issues related to the transmission of the HIV virus and problems inflicted on the human body. Participating in the meeting were the Albanian association PLWHA, the Albanian Helsinki Committee, the HIV/AIDS national program, and doctors of infective illnesses. An AHC expert addressed human rights issues of HIV/AIDS patients and the obligations of state institutions and social services.

On June 20, 2005, AHC organized a seminar with trafficked girls housed at IOM shelters, on "HIV/AIDS and trafficking in human beings – a need for our consciousness". The goal of this event was to inform the group about problems related to HIV, ways of its transmission, protection measures, the importance of testing upon return to Albania, etc. Participating in the meeting were the Albanian association PLWHA, the Albanian Helsinki Committee, IOM office representatives, etc.

On November 21, 2005, AHC, in conjunction with the Institute of Public Health and the Infective Illnesses Department organized a seminar with Law Faculty students on "Women's rights in the context of human rights in Albania". The goal of the meeting was to address problems encountered by women infected with HIV from a human rights violation standpoint.

On February 2-4, 2006, the Institute of Public Health organized a meeting on Health and Human Rights. The goal of the training seminar was to establish a group that could observe health and human rights in Albania, of which AHC will be part. The idea ofr joining the world movement on health and human rights was expressed at the seminar.