Filomena Gori depended a lot on her presence at the 24th International AIDS Conference, which kicked off in the Canadian city of Montreal on Friday. The biennial event brings together thousands of scientists, politicians, activists and social workers from around the world to find solutions to the HIV epidemic.
The 32-year-old, a social worker for people affected by the virus in Cameroon, had taken leave from her current job and spent about $2,000 to apply for the conference, secure accommodation and collect the necessary visa documents.
Her hope was to gain vital connections and know-how to help her start a new HIV charity in her home country of Kenya.
But on July 22 – 88 days after she submitted her visa application – a rejection letter arrived in her inbox. She was denied access without time to react.
“I’m so disappointed, I’m so angry right now,” she told DW in a video call. “I sacrificed a lot, I put a lot of effort into being here and being able to give to my community.
“In Africa, we are the ones most affected by these diseases and I expected them to give us more options. I feel like it’s because we come from African countries.”
Filomena Gori spent about $2,000 applying for the conference
Canadian authorities under pressure
Gori is not the only one in this situation. Organizers fear hundreds of other delegates from Africa, Asia and South America are still waiting or have already been refused visitor visas.
The situation turned into a scandal. The 2022 AIDS conference, organized by the International AIDS Society (IAS), has been billed as a chance to “call the world to come together to re-engage and pursue science”.
But a day before the event began, the International AIDS Society (IAS) released a statement saying it was “deeply concerned about the large number of visas refused and pending by the Canadian authorities”.
“This is preventing many people from some of the countries most affected by HIV from entering Canada and attending AIDS 2022, including IAS staff and leadership.”
African voices are most needed
According to the World Health Organization, Africa is home to more than two-thirds of the world’s population living with HIV, the virus that progresses to AIDS.
Sam W. Pionli was one of the delegates invited by the conference, but was denied a visa by Canada
That’s why Sam W. Pionli, 26, shares the anxiety of holding a global AIDS conference that lacks many voices from Africa.
A native of Liberia, he studied computer science in Morocco. He continues to advocate for young people, including those with HIV and AIDS, at home.
With an invitation from IAS and sponsorship from a church in Delaware, he aimed to travel to the conference to present a paper on violence and HIV prevention for young people and sex workers.
His refusal came on July 19, with Canadian authorities saying in a letter that they were not “satisfied” that he would leave Canada and return to Morocco at the end of his trip.
“It just doesn’t make sense,” Pionli told DW. “My job helping young people is here in Africa, I will finish my degree next year, why stay in Canada?
“This year’s conference was supposed to be an opportunity for Africans to participate. I’m really disappointed with Canada as a whole. I feel disappointed.”
Canada ‘tough choice’
Difficulties with visas have led to criticism regarding the choice of host country. David Ndikumana, executive director of the organization WEKA, which provides support to LGBTQ minorities and people with AIDS in the Democratic Republic of Congo, argues that such conferences should be held in countries that are more accessible.
David Ndikumana is critical of Canada’s selection as host nation
His organization received two invitations to the conference, but has yet to receive a response regarding visa applications. “I think what Canada is doing is a form of discrimination,” he told DW. He added that his group has written a letter asking why only Canada is organizing this international conference. “Why not let other countries?”
Ken Monteith, director general of the Quebec AIDS charity COCQ-SIDA, also saw problems: “It definitely looks like Canada is a tough choice on this,” he wrote in an email. “We have to bear in mind that there are people who have difficulty getting visas for many countries in the north and south.”
IAS president Adeeba Kamarulzaman told DW that Canada was chosen after talks with a “middle-income” country broke down over attempts to influence the conference agenda.
“Delayed and denied visas impact our ability to host a truly inclusive conference that is representative of the communities most affected by HIV. The conference organizing committee has escalated its concerns to the highest levels so that as many people as possible who wish to attend AIDS 2022, please do so,” she wrote.
Canada ‘understands the frustration’
In an email to DW, Aidan Strickland, a spokesperson for Canada’s Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, said applications from around the world are “assessed equally and against the same criteria.”
“We understand the frustration that would arise from some applicants not receiving their visas in time for the International AIDS Conference. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has taken all available measures to expedite as much as possible the processing of applications and facilitate travel for this event.”
She added that IRCC processed 91% of all applications received. A processed application may mean acceptance or rejection.
Strickland also pointed out that visa processing times can vary.
“If it’s made in Africa, I’ll go”
Despite the furor over the visas, there are still high hopes that the conference will lead to improved solutions to combat HIV and AIDS, especially given the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Those unable to attend the conference in person have the opportunity to participate in certain events online.
Filomena Gori intends to participate in some virtual events and plans to start her charity work as soon as possible. She also hopes to one day have the chance to participate in a similar conference much closer to home.
“If it is made in Africa, I will go. It will be much easier for me to attend.”
Edited by: Ann Thomas
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