In a telephone interview on 3 March 1995, the Moscow Chair of An Affective Shield of Protection, a Moscow organization that promotes AIDS awareness, provided the following information. The Chair stated that STD clinics do exist, that they are operated by the federal government, and that most people, especially homosexuals, avoid the clinics. The source stated that the clinics are staffed with "poorly trained, judgemental specialists who employ very harsh tactics." Consequently, homosexuals usually get tested for STDs by their own doctors or doctors referred to them by friends. Some homosexuals may also test themselves for STDs and treat their conditions themselves in order to avoid the clinics.

The source also stated that for the past several years, police have been forcibly taking homosexuals to sexually transmitted disease clinics where they are forcibly tested for STDs and AIDS; this practice still occurs today. The source added that is likely that men the police believe to be homosexual are forcibly taken to STD clinics and forcibly tested.

The Chair also stated that the results of AIDS tests are available within several weeks. It is usually extremely difficult to obtain anonymous AIDS tests, although it is possible to a limited degree in the major cities. The results of AIDS tests are provided over the telephone, and therefore the confidentiality of the results may be compromised.

For additional information on the above-mentioned subject, please consult the attachment.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

An Affective Shield of Protection, AESOP, Moscow. 3 March 1995. Telephone interview with Chair.

Lecturer in the Department of European Studies, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, England. 2 March 1995. Facsimile sent to the DIRB.