A/HRC/35/38 41. Several NGOs indicated that discrimination with respect to the economic, social and cultural rights of persons affected by leprosy and their family members was more pronounced in the case of persons with visible deformities. 35 42. In India, laws have been enacted to ensure that the rights of persons with disabilities also applied to some categories of persons affected by leprosy, but it was difficult to exercise those rights because of the scope and limitations of the benefits. 36 43. Most of the NGOs indicated that there was an overall lack of measures by Governments to address the economic, social and cultural rights of persons affected by leprosy and their family members. They stressed the importance of issuing policies and laws that addressed the specific needs of persons affected by leprosy so as to ensure the exercise of their rights in that respect. They also indicated that a host of attitudinal and structural barriers persisted in society alongside the silent acceptance of age-old norms and practices of segregation and exclusion.37 E. Women, children and other vulnerable groups 44. With respect to promotion and protection of the human rights of women, children and other vulnerable groups of persons affected by leprosy and their family members, almost all of the responses indicated that the relevant national legal instruments were consistent with State obligations under the relevant core human rights treaties to which they were parties and barred discrimination against such groups. 45. Several responses mentioned positive steps taken in relation to women, children and other vulnerable groups of persons affected by leprosy. In Japan, the Legal Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Justice and its branches at the district level annually conducted various awareness-raising activities on the human rights issues faced by women, children and the elderly affected by leprosy and their family members under different themes, such as “Protect Women’s Rights”, “Protect Children’s Rights” and “Nurture a High Regard for Elderly People”. They also offered counselling services on human rights, including for women, children and other vulnerable groups affected by leprosy and their family members, investigated suspected human rights violations concerning those groups and took appropriate measures.38 The 2009 Act on Promoting the Resolution of Hansen’s Disease Issues covers women, children, the elderly and other vulnerable groups and its full implementation would ensure non-discrimination against and promotion and protection of the human rights of those groups.39 46. In Rwanda, persons with disabilities, including those affected by leprosy, could submit applications for all employment vacancies without discrimination. Nondiscrimination in schools against children from families of persons affected by leprosy was ensured and adults affected by leprosy could also benefit from adult literacy programmes on an equal basis with other adults. 40 47. In India, a new bill on disability containing recommendations on the reintegration of women and children with disabilities was pending before Parliament. If passed, it would go a long way in protecting the rights of women and children affected by leprosy. In addition, the proposed bill that had been recommended by the Law Commission of India would afford full protection of the rights of women, children and other vulnerable groups if implemented by the Government. 41 The National Human Rights Commission, in partnership with Sasakawa India Leprosy Foundation, organized the Young Partners 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 10 Responses from IDEA-India, Lepra-Bangladesh, The Leprosy Mission-Nepal and FontillesNicaragua. Response from The Leprosy Mission Trust (India). Responses from CORSOHANSEN (Colombia), FELAHANSEN (Colombia), The Leprosy Mission International-Bangladesh, Lepra-Bangladesh, The Leprosy Mission-Nepal, The Leprosy MissionNiger, The Leprosy Mission Trust (India), IDEA-India, FOKAD (Democratic Republic of the Congo) and FAIRMED Foundation (Sri Lanka). Response from Japan. Response from the Nippon Foundation. Response from the National Human Rights Commission (Rwanda). Response from The Leprosy Mission Trust (India).