Universal Declaration of Human Rights - 60^th Anniversary 10.12.08 

After reading the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Braille, Helen Keller stated: “My soul stood erect, exultant, envisioning a new world where the light of justice for every individual will be unclouded”. 

The 60^th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10^th December 2008 is, according to Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General, “… an occasion for all of us to recommit to the vision of the Declaration. “Justice and Dignity for All of Us” has been the campaign theme in the twelve months leading up to this landmark anniversary. 

Originally signed on 10^th December 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is widely acknowledged to have been influenced by Mrs Eleanor Roosevelt, who spent much of her life speaking for non-dominant groups during decades when few women spoke publicly on anything, let alone on a current issue. The key notions of the Declaration reflect her lifelong convictions. The Declaration confirms acceptance of thirty rights for individuals everywhere irrespective of race, sex, background, religion, political or other opinion, status, nationality or language. These are rights that make all the difference to the lives of all people everywhere:

- the right to life;
- the right to dignity; and
- the right to justice.

Despite the fact that the Declaration can be used as an international instrument and moral conscience to drive change as it gives human rights precedence over the power of States, technically it is not legally binding. However, it has led to numerous Conventions and Resolutions which enshrine the principles of the Declaration. These compel all governing bodies, which have ratified them, to respect the rights outlined. 

People affected by leprosy are one of the world’s minorities that has frequently been subjected to inhuman treatment. Many may, like Helen Keller, have a visual impairment or be blind. Unlike Helen Keller theirs is as a result of having, or having had, leprosy. 

Before the existence of the Declaration many people dedicated their lives to improving the quality of life of people affected by leprosy and treating them as human beings. ILEP Members, for example, have a long history of working with people affected by leprosy and of providing holistic care – providing care beyond treatment to ensure that they can participate in life as fully as each of them chooses.* Since the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of 1966, they have had legislative authority behind their efforts, should they need to appeal to governments, in defence of the rights of people affected by leprosy. Mr Douglas Soutar, General Secretary of the International Federation of Anti-Leprosy Associations (ILEP) has noted however that: “In theory, rights and justice are reflected in laws and conventions but the most enlightened of these are worthless unless in practice they are reflected in the way we relate to each other”. (Editorial, Leprosy Review, September 2008 issue).

Equity and social justice are at the heart of current practice recommended in the World Health Organization’s Global Strategy for Further Reducing the Leprosy Burden and Sustaining Leprosy Control Activities 2006-2010, which is endorsed by ILEP and its Members.

The United Nations Human Rights Council unanimously adopted Resolution A/HRC/8/L.18 The Elimination of Discrimination Against Persons Affected by Leprosy and Their Family Members on 18^th June 2008. The Human Rights Council has asked governments to take effective measures that will eliminate discrimination against people affected by leprosy. Information is being collected on such measures that governments may be taking. In addition the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee is in the process of drafting a set of principles and guidelines to eliminate discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their families. The final draft must be submitted to the Human Rights Council by September 2009 for approval. 

In an age in which there are ever growing numbers of advocates for civil liberties and equal rights for all, the General Secretary of ILEP advocates that pursuit of the rights and dignity of people affected by leprosy needs to be integrated into “… the growing efforts both globally and locally to pursue integrated and inclusive rights-based approaches to health and development for all”. (Editorial, Leprosy Review, September 2008 issue). 

ILEP is one among countless organisations and individuals, who recommit to defending rights of people affected by leprosy and disabilities everywhere in order to ensure, in the words of Helen Keller “… the light of justice for every individual will be unclouded”. 

Contact: Mr Douglas Soutar: doug.soutar@ilep.org.uk

Click on link for Special 60^th Anniversary Edition of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights  

Click on link for Editorial on Leprosy and Human Rights

Click on link for article: Leprosy and Human rights – My approaches by Yohei Sasakawa, Japanese Government Goodwill Ambassador for the Human Rights of People affected by Leprosy.

* Read how Ato Dedo flourished once given opportunities normally available to the majority, which may have been denied him due to discrimination against him for having had leprosy. Click on link. 

José Ramirez Jr has finished writing his autobiography, which will be published in January 2009 by the University Press of Mississippi. The title, Squint, alludes to the small slit windows that used to be built in churches for people affected by leprosy to squint through whilst services were in progress as they were not allowed to be inside. For another’s story, it may have been an allusion to a life constrained by circumstance. But José Ramirez has not allowed his experience of leprosy to narrow his life. He has a successful career as a social worker. He is editor of The Star, the newsletter of Carville (the US public health hospital where he was taken when diagnosed with leprosy, which is now the National Hansen’s Disease Museum), a spokesperson for the International Association for Integration, Dignity and Economic Advancement and an advocate for all persons affected by leprosy.

Rights in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Frequently Transgressed Vis-à-Vis People Affected by Leprosy

Article 3
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.

Article 5
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. 

Article 6
Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.

Article 7
All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equally protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.

Article 8
Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law. 

Article 10
Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him. 

Article 12
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, not to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks. 

Article 13
Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each State. Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country. 

Article 16
Men and women of full age, without any limit due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and its dissolution. 

Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses. 

The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State. 

Article 17
Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.

No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property. 

Article 21
Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.

Everyone has the right to equal access to public service in his country.

The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures. 

Article 22
Everyone, as member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realisation, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organisation and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality. 

Article 23 
Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment. 

Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.

Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection. 

Article 24
Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.

Article 25 
Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.

Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.  

Article 26
Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.

Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial and religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace. 

Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children. 

Article 27
Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.

Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.