11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

More than 13,000 registered HIV-positive persons in Iran; unofficial estimates are much higher; most are men ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23332]

"According to health ministry statistics announced in October 2006, there were more than 13,000 registered HIV-positive persons in the country, but unofficial estimates were much higher; most were men.

Transmission was primarily through shared needles by drug users, and a study showed shared injection inside prison to be a particular risk factor.

There was a free anonymous testing clinic in Tehran, and government-sponsored low-cost or free methadone treatment for heroin addicts, including in prisons. The government also started distributing clean needles in some prisons.

The government supported programs for AIDS awareness and did not interfere with private HIV-related NGOs. Contraceptives, including free condoms, were available at health centers as well as in pharmacies. Nevertheless, persons infected with HIV reportedly faced discrimination in schools and workplaces."

Document(s): Open document

31.01.2008 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Increasing rates of HIV infection in Iran (2007) ("World Report 2008") [ID 22523]

"Iran is reporting increasing rates of HIV infection due to injecting drug use and unsafe sex. In February 2007 Health Minister Kamran Baqeri Lankarani announced that Iranian scientists had produced a new HIV/AIDS medication, made from seven native Iranian herbs. Iranian health officials claimed that scientists tested the drug on over 200 people over five years. However, Iranian AIDS and human rights activists raised concerns that scientists enrolled people living with HIV in these tests without consent and that the study was conducted with a control group of patients receiving an inert placebo in place of effective medicines."

Document(s): Open document

31.01.2008 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Increasing rates of HIV infection due to injecting drug use and unsafe sex ("World Report 2008") [ID 23564]

"Iran is reporting increasing rates of HIV infection due to injecting drug use and unsafe sex.

In February 2007 Health Minister Kamran Baqeri Lankarani announced that Iranian scientists had produced a new HIV/AIDS medication, made from seven native Iranian herbs. Iranian health officials claimed that scientists tested the drug on over 200 people over five years.

However, Iranian AIDS and human rights activists raised concerns that scientists enrolled people living with HIV in these tests without consent and that the study was conducted with a control group of patients receiving an inert placebo in place of effective medicines."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

According to Health Ministry statistics there are over 13,000 registered HIV-positive persons in the country; unofficial estimates were much higher; most are men ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 21113]

"According to Health Ministry statistics announced in October, there were over 13,000 registered HIV-positive persons in the country, but unofficial estimates were much higher; most were men. Transmission was primarily through shared needles by drug users, and a study showed shared injection inside prison to be a particular risk factor.

There was a free anonymous testing clinic in Tehran, government-sponsored low-cost or free methadone treatment, including in prisons. The government also started distributing clean needles in some prisons. The government supported programs for AIDS awareness and did not interfere with private HIV-related NGOs. Contraceptives, including free condoms, were available at health centers as well in pharmacies. Nevertheless, persons infected with HIV faced discrimination in schools and workplaces."

Document(s): Open document

04.2005 - Source: UK Home Office

HIV/Aids ("Country Report - April 2005") [#31980],  [ID 9564]

"[...]5.64 According to the CHR Report 2002 the first AIDS case was identified in 1986. The cumulative total to late 1997 was 1,297 cases of HIV infection and 192 cases of AIDS. The Iranian National Committee on AIDS had reported a cumulative total of 1,953 HIV/AIDS cases by April 2000. As of July 2001 there were 2,458 reported HIV infections and 357 AIDS cases. However, in 1999 it was estimated 25,000 people in Iran were HIV positive while in the same year the Ministry of Health estimated there were 60,000 people infected with HIV or AIDS. [34] In August 2002 it was announced that based on the latest available figures, over 3,912 people were HIV afflicted and that 3,680 had contracted AIDS, [5au] later adjusted upwards to 4,200 in November 2002. [21ba] These figures had increased by November 2003 to 5,870 people with AIDS of which 53 had full blown AIDS and 694 people had died. [21ck] 5.65 According to the CHR Report 2002 It appears there are scant HIV prevention programs in place among drug users or drug injectors in Iran and what is available is unlikely to be specific and/or explicit about the ways to avoid becoming HIV infected. It has been reported that there are no printed materials on HIV/AIDS for drug users and drug users are a hidden population and difficult to gain access to. Efforts to distribute needles and syringes to imprisoned drug users has met with strong objections [34] although efforts are now being made to try and contain the problem within the prison community by segregating addicts. [21az] In recent times, however, harm reduction pilot programs have been introduced in the three provinces most affected by injecting drug use Kermanshah, Shiraz and Tehran and the Ministry of Health has initiated these. [34] 5.66 Although a National Aids Policy (NAP) does exist, and HIV infections are highest among intravenous drug users IDUs, the coordination of activities between the NAP and the National Drug Control Headquarters is generally lacking. Brochures have been prepared for schools and families on the issues of HIV/AIDS but none have specifically been produced for drug users. The main focus of the policy appears to be to control the nation’s blood supply and the prevention of HIV transmission through medical injections. Specific mention and/or activities aimed at drug users has been omitted. [34] On the 23 August the Government approved an anti AIDS/HIV Virus Directive to create a nationwide committee, which would include the head of the Iran Red Crescent Society, to combat the AIDS virus. The figures for 2002 issued by the Health Ministry gave the total number of those HIV positive as 23,000 - 25,000 and the number of deaths as a result of AIDS related illness as 674 with 50 still receiving treatment. [21st] However the UNAIDS Global HIV/AIDS Report 2004 estimated the number of HIV cases at 31,000 and deaths at 800. [10e] [...]"

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2005 - Source: US Department of State

HIV ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004") [#29525],  [ID 9565]

"[...]According to late 2003 estimates by a prominent local physician, there are approximately 25,000 to 30,000 HIV positive citizens; a 2001 estimate suggested an adult prevalence rate of less than 0.1 percent. There is a free anonymous testing clinic in Tehran. The Government supported the creation of an HIV awareness film to show in schools and has not interfered with private HIV-related NGOs. Nevertheless, persons infected with HIV were discriminated against in schools and workplaces. [...]"

Document(s): Open document