Human Rights Watch has demanded that Iranian authorities either charge or release two doctors famous for their work in preventing and treating HIV/AIDS, BBC News reports (news.bbc.co.uk 7/22).
Arash Alaei and Kamyar Alaei were detained last month. Their participation at the International AIDS Conference—beginning August 3 in Mexico City—is uncertain.
The brothers have been credited with pushing the Iranian government to tackle HIV stigma in a nation where drug abuse and sex are subjects not easily discussed.
A Human Rights Watch spokesperson said Iran’s work, largely under the guidance of the Alaei brothers, is internationally acclaimed. However, the brothers’ detention was damaging Iran’s reputation in the international AIDS community.
NEW! Scroll down to comment on this story.
Please click OK to confirm your comment and confirm you accept our posting rules. Note your message will be reviewed by our staff before going live.
"I am psychologically suffering from body wasting, mainly hips, face, legs and arms. Does anyone know where I can order something (maybe underwear with foam) to fill the sunken hips, so that pants can start looking normal? I feel pathetic when I look at myself in the mirror in jeans—jeans used to fill up so nicely, now they just hang!"