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UNHRC Seminar |
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June 18, 2008:
On June 18, 2008, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)
unanimously passed a resolution to eliminate discrimination against
people affected by leprosy and their family members, proposed by the
Japanese Govt., and co-sponsored by 59 countries.
Sasakawa-India Leprosy Foundation (SILF), in association with
The Nippon Foundation and Sasakawa Memorial Health Foundation (SMHF)
hosted a seminar, on 2nd September 2008, to create awareness on this
Resolution. The purpose of the seminar was to discuss the
implications of this Resolution for India, which accounts for
approximately 65% of the total world population of people affected by
leprosy (15 mn approx.). The methodology that should be adopted to
eradicate the prevailing discrimination and stigma against the disease
and the affected people, were also discussed.
It was a step forward to join the Japanese govt, and respond to the
appeal by Mr. Sasakawa (Goodwill Ambassador of WHO for Leprosy) to be
part of the movement for change to help people affected with leprosy
and their families regain dignity and ensure effective social
integration.
The panellists of the seminar were Swami Agniveshji (President,
Bandhua Mukti Morcha), Dr. R.S. Shukla (Jt. Secretary, Ministry
of Health & Family Welfare); Dr. Ranjit Roy Chaudhury (Chairman,
Task Force for Research of Apollo Hospitals Group in India); Ms.
Pinky Anand (Practising lawyer in High Court and Supreme Court of
India) and Dr. P.K. Gopal (President, Idea India).
The seminar was held at IIC (New Delhi), where Mr. Sasakawa,
representatives from SMHF, from various govt. ministries like Ministry
of Labour, Social Empowerment and External Affairs, Mr. Dhingan (MLA,
Seemapuri area), members of NHRC and NGOs as well as eminent lawyers
were present.
UNHRC Resolution |
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