discrimination and ostracization due to society’s lack of knowledge and misguided notions, such as leprosy being incurable or hereditary, and that the issue of leprosy is not only a matter of medicine or health but also one of discrimination that can give rise to a clear violation of human rights, Taking note of the previous work done by the Commission on Human Rights and its mechanism on discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members, Encouraging States to share best practices on combating discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members and also on their efforts to achieve full recovery from and manage this disease, 1. Affirms that persons affected by leprosy and their family members should be treated as individuals with dignity and are entitled to all basic human rights and fundamental freedoms under customary international law, relevant conventions and national constitutions and laws; 2. Calls upon Governments to take effective measures to eliminate any type of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members, including awareness-raising; 3. Requests the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to include the issue of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members as an important matter in its human rights education and awarenessraising activities; 4. Also requests the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to collect information on the measures that Governments have taken to eliminate discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members, and, if extra-budgetary funding is available, to hold a meeting to exchange views among