In parallel with the elections for the Steering Committee, elections are being held for ECOM’s Ethics Committee, whose current term ends on December 20, 2025.

The Ethics Committee plays a key role in upholding the principles of transparency, fairness, and respect within the Coalition. It is a body that helps resolve ethical issues, monitors compliance with the Code of Ethics, and fosters trust among ECOM members, the Secretariat, and partners.

The primary responsibilities of the Ethics Committee include:

  • promoting the compliance of all Coalition members, Secretariat staff, and consultants with ECOM’s Code of Ethics;
  • Making informed judgments on complaints regarding violations of ECOM’s Code of Ethics;
  • Resolving ethical conflicts within ECOM, as well as facilitating the resolution of disputes between Coalition members and third parties.

Elections to the Ethics Committee will be held by electronic ranked-choice voting during ECOM’s General Assembly, concurrent with the Steering Committee elections, from November 16 to 25.

Results will be announced on November 28, 2025.

We would like to introduce our candidates:

Alexey Abrossimov

Organization: Individual member

Country: Kazakhstan

Why do you want to be a member of ECOM’s Ethics Committee:

My professional work in recent years has involved implementing social and public-interest projects aimed at preventing HIV and tuberculosis, reducing stigma and discrimination against key populations, and developing sustainable mechanisms for providing medical and social services. Working in this field, I have repeatedly encountered situations where issues of ethics and respect for human dignity proved no less important than the organizational or technical aspects of the project.

I deeply share ECOM’s values: openness, non-discrimination, inclusivity, and responsibility to communities. For me, serving on the Ethics Committee is an opportunity to use my practical experience to support these principles at the regional level and to foster an environment where decisions are made with due regard for the interests and rights of all stakeholders.

Furthermore, I am interested in contributing to the development of a culture of ethical governance in HIV services and civil society. My experience interacting with MSM, PUID, and other key populations allows me to understand the specific needs and vulnerabilities of these groups, which I believe is essential for the fair consideration of ethical issues.

I am committed to participating in case analysis, developing recommendations, and supporting colleagues in upholding the principles of transparency, equality, and respect. For me, being a member of ECOM’s Ethics Committee is not only a professional responsibility, but also personal motivation to continue working to ensure that humanity and ethics are an integral part of all initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life of communities.

Alla Saulina

Organization: Public Association “Gay and Lesbian Alliance”

Country: Kazakhstan

Why do you want to become a member of ECOM’s Ethics Committee:

I often have to act as a mediator directly in our local community. I would like to apply my knowledge and skills to a wider circle.

Elima Dzhunusova

Organization: PО Labrys

Country: Kyrgyzstan

Why do you want to be a member of ECOM’s Ethics Committee:

I don’t have any experience participating in such committees yet, but I see this as an opportunity for personal and professional growth. I am already a member of the General Assembly of the Trans Initiative Group “Myrzaiym” in Kyrgyzstan, where I participate in discussions and decision-making processes. This experience has helped me better understand the importance of transparency, trust, and engagement in working with the community. For me, participating in ECOM’s Ethics Committee is an opportunity to learn new things, develop a responsible approach, and gain a deeper understanding of the ethical principles that underpin the network’s work. I have a strong sense of fairness, empathy, and respect for diverse perspectives, and I want to use these qualities to foster an atmosphere of caring and mutual respect. I believe I can contribute to the work of the Ethics Committee by learning and helping to strengthen the principles of fairness and transparency in ECOM’s activities.

Kirill Presnyakov

Organization: Individual member

Country: Belarus

Why do you want to be a member of ECOM’s Ethics Committee:

I’ve been involved with ECOM for many years and care deeply about the Coalition. I’d like to join the Ethics Committee for this challenging and very important work. I’ve worked as a “freelance conflictologist” in several organizations, and know and understand the nature of this work. I’m a trainer in informal education. I’m resilient under pressure and unbiased in my judgment.

Mayrambek Musa

Organization: Trans and Queer Initiative Group “BizdaBarbyz”

Country: Kyrgyzstan

Why do you want to be a member of ECOM’s Ethics Committee:

For me, being part of ECOM’s Ethics Committee means helping our community remain vibrant, fair, and humane. I’ve long felt how important it is for trust and safety to exist within our spaces, for people to know they will be heard and treated with respect, and for decisions to be made not by rules for the sake of rules, but out of empathy and justice.

In my work as a civil and queer activist, project coordinator, and researcher, I often encounter situations where this balance between principles and humanity is crucial. It can be challenging, but it’s through these moments that I understand how strong a community can be when it’s built not only on activity and visibility, but also on care, support, and respect for one another.

I want the Ethics Committee to be more than just about control, but also about trust, conversation, and finding solutions where everyone’s voice is heard. I want to bring not only experience and knowledge, but also my sense of fairness, calm, and respect for people.

For me, this is an opportunity to be of service to the community on a deeper level, and to help ensure that it is honest, sustainable, and truly human.

Michał Pawlęga

Organization: Individual member

Country: Poland

Why do you want to be a member of ECOM’s Ethics Committee:

Over the past two decades, I’ve been closely involved in public health, sexual health, and HIV response across Europe and Central Asia — managing community-based and international programmes serving LGBTI and other key populations. My professional path has always been deeply connected to ethics, trust, and respect for people whose lives are affected by stigma and inequality.

I’ve worked in national human rights and sexual health organisations in my country of origin, Poland — including Amnesty International, Lambda Warszawa (which I helped to establish in 1997), and the Social AIDS Committee — as well as in international NGOs operating in the EECA region (AFEW International, AHF Europe). These experiences have given me a solid understanding of the ethical and practical challenges faced by communities and professionals working in the region.

At this stage of my career, alongside my volunteer-led initiative Buddy Poland, which provides peer support for GBMSM newly diagnosed with HIV, I’m looking for an opportunity to contribute in a more voluntary, community-driven way, in addition to my daily work. Becoming part of the ECOM Ethics Committee would allow me to give back to the LGBTI community I belong to and care deeply about — while helping to ensure that our collective work remains respectful, inclusive, and grounded in human rights.

I speak English, Russian, and Polish. I divide my professional life between Poland and the Netherlands, where I live with my husband. Outside of work, I’m passionate about rail transport, and I’m currently in training to become a clinical sexologist and CBT psychotherapist.

We thank all Coalition members who submitted their nominations and invite ECOM members to review the candidates and participate in the vote.

Your participation helps maintain trust, openness, and fairness in the Coalition’s work.