Leprosy and human rights

Abstract

On the 18th June the United Nations Human Rights Council unanimously adopted a resolution (A/HRC/8/L.18) on ‘The elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members.’ This historic resolution was sponsored by 59 member states and made specific reference to key earlier documents, namely the Universal of Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966). The Council called upon Governments to take effective measures to eliminate any type of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members and requested the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to collect information on the measures that Governments take to eliminate discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members and to submit a report to the Council. It further requested the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee to formulate a draft set of principles and guidelines to eliminate discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members, and to submit it to the Council for its consideration by September 2009. This resolution is very important and all should be encouraged to pursue its follow-up and implementation. However, leprosy has traditionally been seen as a disease apart and there are parallel arguments that rights-based approaches to health and development should be pursued for the benefit of all people, including those affected by leprosy. Since people affected by leprosy should have the same human rights as all people, it is appropriate to make greater use of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966). Almost all the articles of this Covenant can be seen to remain unfulfilled and unrespected for people who have been affected by leprosy. Its articles cover self determination, economic and social and cultural rights, right to work and fair remuneration, protection of the family, adequate living standards, physical and mental health, education, participation in cultural life, and access to the benefits of scientific progress. In 2008 the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities entered into force following its adoption and ratification by the requisite number of member states. This Convention too, represents a major new international legal instrument, and with its greater focus on inclusivity in development, is of critical importance in pursuing the rights of all persons with disabilities, including those affected by leprosy. The WHO Global Strategy on Leprosy highlights the importance of social justice and equity and stresses that this must be integral to all leprosy work including approaches to preventing disability, stigma and discrimination.