IAS CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF CHINESE ACTIVIST

3 April 2008 (Geneva, Switzerland) - The International AIDS Society (IAS) today
expressed grave concern over the sentencing of Hu Jia - a prominent Chinese
human rights activist - on charges of subversion, and called for Mr Jia’s
immediate and unconditional release.

IAS President, Pedro Cahn, referred to Mr Jia’s sentence as a failure of
justice.

"Hu Jia is highly respected as a human rights activist all over the world. He
has dedicated his life to fighting against injustice in China, at great personal
risk. His continued harassment by authorities, arrest and subsequent sentencing
is a violation of his human rights, and an insult by the Chinese authorities to
the global human rights movement," said Dr Cahn. "We are also concerned for Hu’s
health. He needs daily medication for his hepatitis infection and is in the
early stages of sclerosis of the liver."

Hu is most widely known as an advocate for the rights of people living with
HIV/AIDS in China, and has been honoured with a number of international awards
for his efforts. His work on HIV/AIDS is widely credited within China amongst
government authorities and civil society groups. According to available
information, Hu’s conviction and sentencing are not in relation to his HIV/AIDS
work.

"This is the time for China to be improving its image. The eyes of the world are
on Beijing ahead of the Olympic Games, and we urge the Chinese government to
seize this opportunity to improve its record on human rights, and release Hu Jia
immediately," said Dr Cahn.

Yesterday (2 April), Hu was sentenced to three and half years in prison on
charges of subversion. He was convicted in a trial last month.

The IAS is the world's leading independent association of HIV professionals,
with more than 10,000 members from 172 countries. The IAS is a non-profit
organization founded in 1988, and acts as an independent voice in the global
response to AIDS on behalf of its members. The Society is the custodian of the
International AIDS Conferences, the paramount gathering of all disciplines in
HIV/AIDS, held every two years, and organizes the IAS Conference on HIV
Pathogenesis, Treatment and prevention.


Karen Bennett

Senior Communications Manager
International AIDS Society
Geneva, Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 710 0832
Email: Karen.bennett@...