A Human Rights Statement Appealing For An End To Discrimination And Stigma Surrounding Leprosy Affected People

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 21 Sep 2007 - 19:00 PDT

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In Geneva at 13:00 on 25 September, concurrently with the 6th Session of The United Nations Human Rights Council, The Nippon Foundation, a Japanese NGO entitled with ECOSOC Consultative status is going to organise a parallel seminar on Leprosy and Human Rights at Palais de Nations, Geneva. Mr Yohei Sasakawa, WHO Goodwill Ambassador for the Elimination of Leprosy and Chairman of The Nippon Foundation, will be giving a statement on the issue of leprosy affected people and human rights.

With this statement, Mr Sasakawa aims to present the issue of the social discrimination of leprosy affected people to the Council as a human rights priority. Leprosy is no longer an issue of right to health; it has been a curable disease since the 1980's, with medicine being provided free of charge to anyone who needs it. However, public ignorance, lack of information and general fear of the disease causes many of those affected by the disease to be marginalised from society, destined to live their lives in disgraced poverty.

Also speaking at the meeting on this topic will be Mr Arthur Custudio of MORHAN(Movimento de Reintegracao das pessoas atingidas pela hanseniase), Brazil, Dr P.K. Gopal, President of the National Forum for leprosy affected people, India, Dr. Arturo C. Cunanan, Head of the Culion Leprosy Contron and Rehabilitation Program, the Philippines, and via video message, Professor Yozo Yokota, former member of the UN Sub Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights

The United Nations Human Rights Council meetings are being held at the Novotel Geneve Centre, 24 Rue de Zurich 1201, Geneva, from September 10 through September 28, 2007.

Nippon Foundation