US lifts entry ban for HIV/Aids sufferers, Ethiopians say will reapply

By Tesfa Alem Tekle

January 5, 2009 (ADDIS ABABA) – A number of Ethiopians living with the HIV/Aids on Tuesday said that they will reapply for visas after the US government officially removed a 22 year old entry ban on foreigners living with HIV/Aids.

The move, which formally went into effect as of today means that Visa forms would no longer require waiver processing by the US department of homeland security to any traveller to the US to be denied, on grounds of his or her HIV status.

The change came following a US decision in November, removing HIV infection from the definition of communicable disease of public health significance.

In a statement released today, the US Embassy Consular Section in Addis Ababa said that it will contact visa applicants it rejected over the past year on their HIV status.

The US embassy in Addis Ababa said it is going to call them to reapply for visas. Many Ethiopians and campaigners have welcomed the move.

“This is a break through to tackle the spread of AIDS and to protect people with HIV from stigma and discrimination,” Abera Lubolo, regional campaigner on Aids prevention told Sudan Tribune.

“This is an exemplary move in the global fight other countries with similar restriction should learn from,” he added.

Mengesha wolde is 33 years old and instructor at a private college; though he won DV lottery a year ago he said that he refused to process it in fear of a possible positive Blood test outcome. But now he says he will process visa to learn his masters in the US.

President Obama said the ban was not compatible with US plans to be a leader in the fight against the disease.

(ST)