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number of youth groups at the International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP) made a stand today for the rights of young people living with HIV/AIDS.

The move came as experts predicated the province would be treating 4,000 people for the disease by the end of 2009.

There were already 3,000 reported cases of HIV/AIDS in Bali as of May this year.

"We are only able to reach out and assist 500 people living with HIV/AIDS in Bali. There are many more out there," Putu Ayu Utami Dewi, director of Bali Plus, said Tuesday. Bali Plus assists people living with HIV/AIDS.

Established in l994, Bali Plus supports eight groups including the transgender community, gay community, commercial sex workers, family support groups and others across six regencies in Bali. "We are trying hard to rebuild their self-esteem as well as increase people's awareness of HIV/AIDS to enable those living with the disease to improve their quality of life," Utami said.

"It is important to gain support from young people and the community in general. The community and administration of Bali should take some real steps to assist people with HIV/AIDS."

During an event Tuesday at ICAAP, a number of young participants announced a joint commitment named the Bali Youth Force. This integrated alliance of local and international youth organizations from across the Asia-Pacific region came together to advocate for the rights of young people.

The alliance issued a number of recommendations derived from a month-long online survey of more than 50 people from across the Asia Pacific, along with the experiences and input of around 130 youth delegates who attended a two-day conference held prior to ICAAP.

The first recommendation called for young people to push for meaningful participation in policies that affect their lives and programs about youth issues.

"Those making decisions and outlining policies must foster partnerships between youth and adults at a local, national and international level," said Elfira Nacia, a youth representative from Bali.

"Governments must respect, protect and fulfil young people's sexual and reproductive rights, including the right to comprehensive sexual education. This enables them to make informed decisions about their lives," said Rachel Arinii, General Secretary of the Indonesia Independent Youth Alliance.

Other recommendations called for the sexual rights of young people to be comprehensively protected, such as the right to access condoms, health services, safe abortions, emergency contraceptions, voluntary counseling, testing for HIV/AIDS and treatment for sexually transmitted infections.