The United States has been called upon to lift travel restrictions on sex workers and drug users by rights groups that featured significantly at this year’s International AIDS Conference held from 18th to 23rd July in Vienna, even as Washington readies itself to host the next International AIDS Conference in 2012.

The calls come with US reiterating its commitment to redoubling its efforts for preventing and treating HIV/AIDS nation and worldwide.

Patricia Perez, Chair of the International Steering Committee of the International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS expressing concerns that sex workers, drug users and persons with criminal records will be denied entry, said for 2012 is to be effective, individuals from key affected areas must be granted the right to enter the US.

Delegates attending the closing ceremony of the XV111 AIDS Conference Friday, were told it was imperative International Aids Society, organisers of the conference, work with the US for ensuring people are not denied the right to participate over visa issues.

Scores of delegates, including media workers from developing countries were denied Schengen visas for entering Austria, which has raised fears among participants the situation will be much worse in the United States, where qualifying for a visa is much more difficult.

However, President Obama in his video message to the delegates, said USA looked forward to hosting the conference, even as he looked forward to welcoming them to Washington DC in July 2012. He said US was committed to fighting the worldwide pandemic, with his administration redoubling efforts for HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, both in US and worldwide.

He also announced the US had embedded PEPFAR in a comprehensive Global Health Initiative for helping other countries improve health care, save lives and increase life expectancy.

Last week, thousands of scientists, physicians and activists fighting the HIV and AIDS pandemic around the world gathered in Vienna to discuss the latest breakthroughs — and frustrations.