|
|
|
|
|
Discrimination as a Violation of Human Rights |
|
Based on the UN Human Rights Council Resolution in June 2008, the
Principles and Guidelines for the elimination of discrimination against
persons affected by leprosy and their family members were drawn up by
the UN Human Rights Advisory Committee. These were unanimously adopted
at the 15th Human Rights Council Meeting in September 2010.
At the Plenary Meeting of 65th Session of the United Nations General
Assembly in December 2010, a resolution submitted by the Japanese
Government on ending discrimination against people affected by leprosy
and their families, together with principles and guidelines, was adopted
by consensus by 192 countries, India being one of them.
This is indeed an epoch-making achievement, as the international
community has recognized, for the first time, the discrimination based
on leprosy to be a violation of human rights. However, in order to make
these instruments more effective, they must be understood, implemented
and adhered to. With more than 65% of the total world population of
leprosy affected people residing in India, the task before the
government is obviously huge and all citizens will have to join hands to
achieve this goal of eradicating discrimination and stigma against the
disease. The international society will now be paying keen attention on
how the guidelines will be implemented by India to bring changes at the
ground levels.
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
