World Leprosy Day was created in 1954 by Raoul Follereau “so that people affected by leprosy could be cared for like all others who are ill and so that that those in good health could be cured of their absurd and often criminal fear of this disease and those who are affected by it”.

Much still remains to be done to foster respect for the rights and dignity of those who are affected by this disease and to eradicate discrimination against them.

The United Nations has taken up the issue of discrimination faced by people affected by leprosy, which can include family members. The Advisory Committee of the United Nations Human Rights Council is finalising a set of Draft Guidelines and Principles for submission to the 15^th Session of the Human Rights Council in September 2010. This is being done in close consultation with all relevant actors including Members of ILEP, scientists, medical experts, as well as persons affected by leprosy.

Freedom from discrimination and the promotion of equity and equal opportunities for people affected by leprosy are also powerful elements in WHO’s Enhanced Global Strategy for Further Reducing the Disease Burden Due to Leprosy 2011-2015. It states: “Constant efforts should be made to ensure that discriminatory, derogatory or undignified references to persons affected by leprosy are avoided altogether”.    

In the countries that recorded ≥ 1000 new cases of leprosy in 2008, which together accounted for 94% of the new cases, World Leprosy Day will be an occasion for a real celebration of all those who are affected by leprosy as individuals contributing in their unique way to communities and society everywhere. These are the following seventeen countries: Angola, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, the Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Madagascar, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Sudan and the United Republic of Tanzania.

In many other countries, there will be fundraising and awareness-raising events.

Awareness-raising is one of the key elements of the Draft Set of Principles and Guidelines for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Persons Affected by Leprosy and Their Family Members. It is hoped that States will be obliged to:

• formulate policies and action plans to provide information about leprosy at all levels of the education system;
• encourage the media to portray persons affected by leprosy, and their family members, with dignified images and terminology;
• recognise the skills, merits and abilities of persons affected by leprosy and their contribution to society and, where possible, support exhibitions of their artistic, cultural and scientific talents;
• provide information to social leaders, including religious leaders, on how leprosy in their teachings and written materials may contribute to the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by the disease, and their family members;
• and, among other practices, to identify ways to recognise, honour and learn from the lives of individuals forcibly isolated by their governments for having been diagnosed with leprosy, including oral history programmes, museums, monuments and publications.   

The messages that will be disseminated on the 57^th World Leprosy Day, this 31^st January 2010, will call on the public’s conscience to fight indifference towards people affected by leprosy and to accord these individuals all the dignity and respect due to them. 

Message from the President of ILEP on the occasion of World Leprosy Day 2010:
in English 
in French
in Portuguese

 

Categories: International Collaboration, News and Notes