DUSHANBE, May 22, Asia-Plus --Events dedicated to commemorate those who died of AIDS were held in Dushanbe on May 21.  International AIDS Victims Memorial Day is marked around the globe each third Sunday of May.  

According to information from the “Guli Surkh” NGO, the event themed “Stop AIDS.  Keep the Promise” was held near the Abu Ali Sino Monument in Dushanbe.  This event focuses on keeping commitments to stop AIDS at all level: personal; community; organizational; governmental.  On the sidelines of this event, a news conference with participation of representatives from NGOs and international organizations dealing with this problem was held.  

Besides, a staging “Stigma and Discrimination” was demonstrated to the event participants.  The action ended with a minute of silence to commemorate those who died of this disease.     

ABOUT: International AIDS Victims Memorial Day has been marked since 1983.  The AIDS epidemic update shows that the number of people who live with HIV/AIDS continues to increase throughout the world and now stands at some 40 million.  In just two decades odd, HIV/AIDS has killed more than 22 million people across the globe.  Of them, 1.5 million are children.    

On May 21, communities in over 100 countries around the world took part in the 2006 International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, a program of the Global Health Council. The Candlelight Memorial is among the largest and oldest grassroots mobilization campaigns for HIV/AIDS awareness in the world.  Now in its 23rd year, the Candlelight has become more than just a memorial to commemorate the lives lost to AIDS. The Candlelight provides opportunities to educate people about HIV/AIDS; inform policymakers about steps to take in stopping the disease; and create community dialogue about prevention, care and treatment.