UN Special Rapporteur

In June 2020 the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members was extended for a further term, and we are delighted that Alice Cruz has continued in the role. ILEP and its member associations are pleased with the opportunity to work collaboratively with Ms Cruz in a range of different ways, and we continue to benefit from the impact of her mandate on bringing to the fore the voice of people affected by leprosy and advocating for their rights.

This month we feature three notable developments in the work of her mandate.

From the Principles and Guidelines to law in action

UN Special Rapporteur Alice Cruz has produced an engaging and informative web-documentary about the origins of the Principles and Guidelines for the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members. Commentary on the formation of the Principles and Guidelines, and their key elements, is combined with testimony from persons affected by leprosy about the realities of discrimination in their communities. ILEP members urging States to incorporate the Principles and Guidelines into national human rights frameworks will find this to be valuable viewing.

Report to Human Rights Council

The Special Rapporteur’s report to the current session of the UN Human Rights Council is available here in multiple languages. The report addresses the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on persons affected by leprosy and their family members, exploring the underlying causes and offering constructive recommendations for an inclusive recovery.

Significant sections in the report include:

• Challenges around access to livelihoods, including exclusion of people affected by leprosy from the formal economy and their experience of barriers to the right to decent work.
• Challenges around access to food, other fundamental goods and life-saving information during the pandemic.
• Challenges around access to the continuum of healthcare services and essential medicines, including multidrug therapy for leprosy.
• The particular vulnerability of women and children affected by leprosy.

ILEP welcomes the Special Rapporteur’s report and recommendations. ILEP’s brief statement to the Human Rights Council can be read here.

Special Rapporteur’s newsletter

The UN Special Rapporteur’s first newsletter was issued this month. In addition to the topics in the paragraphs above, there is a wealth of information about the Special Rapporteur’s activities in regard to the impacts of COVID-19, and especially about her interaction with organisations and individuals affected by leprosy in many countries. ILEP recommends a close reading: the Special Rapporteur’s mandate is having a significant impact on the empowerment of people affected by leprosy worldwide.