A/HRC/10/62
page 4
(b) While certain groups, such as people living with HIV/AIDS, those with disabilities
or those affected by other neglected diseases (which can be tackled in similar ways) endure
common forms of discrimination, there is also a need for focused attention on leprosy-related
discrimination at the national and international levels. Some participants referred to “twin tracks”
of work in combating discrimination more broadly while also addressing the particularities of
stigma derived from specific diseases. Similarly, there was consensus on the importance of
devoting attention to the multiple layers of discrimination, particularly in relation to sex, age and
socio-economic conditions;
(c) The inclusion and informed participation of persons affected by leprosy, their family
members and their representative organizations in policy, administrative and legislative
processes affecting their lives needed to be ensured more systematically. Such participation
would contribute to empowering persons affected by leprosy and their family members to
combat discrimination, including through the recognition of their human rights as legal
entitlements;
(d) A multipronged approach to fighting leprosy and leprosy-related discrimination
should go beyond treatment, access to health care and prevention to include comprehensive
strategies for legal and policy reform, raising social awareness, education, programmatic
interventions and accountability. This is particularly relevant in the light of the linkages between
leprosy and poverty, extreme poverty and isolation;
(e) Due attention should be paid to eliminate the use of discriminatory language,
terminology and images which would further affect the rights of persons affected by leprosy and
their family members. The use of “Hansen’s disease” was often mentioned;
(f) Any draft guidelines and principles to eliminate discrimination against persons
affected by leprosy and their family members should be addressed not only to Governments, but
also to medical professionals, the media, non-governmental organizations, public officials, as
well as the general population and communities.
III. GOVERNMENT SUBMISSIONS
Armenia
[Original: English]
[7 November 2008]
6.
Armenia referred to recent research carried out on epidemic and social peculiarities of
leprosy, taking into account a total of 370 people affected by leprosy since 1921 (only 7 newly
affected had been registered since 1970). While some of those affected by leprosy are
undergoing hospitalized treatment in different leprosaria in the Russian Federation, others are
treated by the Armenian Medical-Scientific Centre of Dermatology and Sexually Transmitted
Infections, which has also organized a series of seminars for family doctors on leprosy, with
emphasis on vigilance, stigmatization, rehabilitation and the provision of job opportunities.
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