Adoption of the “Resolution on Elimination of Discrimination against Persons Affected by Leprosy and their Family Members” at the 8th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council
June 18, 2008
- On June 18 (local time), the “Resolution on Elimination of Discrimination
against Persons Affected by Leprosy and their Family Members” was adopted
unanimously at the 8th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council
in Geneva. The number of countries which co-sponsored the resolution
has now become 58 (of which 31 are member states of the Human Rights Council).
- The Resolution discusses the issue of discrimination against leprosy
at the Human Rights Council to protect human rights of those who are suffering
from discrimination from problems related to leprosy all over the world,
and aims to examine effective method of eliminating discrimination.
- The main points of the content of the Resolution are follows:
(1) Each country must be aware of the fact that the discrimination against leprosy is a serious violation of human rights.
(2) Each government is requested to take measures to eliminate discrimination against leprosy.
(3) The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is requested to conduct human rights education and awareness-promotion activities concerning leprosy.
(4) The OHCHR is requested to conduct research on the efforts made by each country to eliminate discrimination against people affected by leprosy and gather information.
(5) The Human Rights Council Advisory Committee is requested to draw up guidelines to terminate discrimination against leprosy by September 2009.
- Japan, as the main sponsoring country of the Resolution, will make every effort to follow up the Resolution and continue to take an international initiative on the issue of discrimination against leprosy.
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