CRPD Committee highlights leprosy

The CRPD Committee has highlighted leprosy in its concluding observations on India, and is showing a strong ongoing interest in human rights for persons affected by leprosy.

This month ILEP has made four written and oral submissions to the CRPD (Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities) Committee. These are on the human rights situation facing persons affected by leprosy in Lao PDR, Mexico and Venezuela, and discriminatory laws in Singapore.

We are delighted to see frequent mention of leprosy in the CRPD Committee’s concluding observations on India. In particular, paragraph 12(b) calls on the Government of India to repeal all discriminatory laws and to be guided by the “UN Principles and Guidelines for the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members” to address the situation of persons affected by leprosy. These were two of our key points of advocacy with the Committee.