A/HRC/10/62
page 8
Israel
[Original: English]
[14 August 2008]
18. Since 2000, people affected by Hansen’s disease received all treatment within an
ambulatory service at the Israel Hansen’s Disease Center. Previously, persons affected by the
disease had been hospitalized. Although there were only few patients registered at the Center, a
few new cases still emerged every year. For statistical purposes, the Government required
notification for the Ministry of Health, as this was considered an infectious disease.
Japan
[Original: English]
[19 September 2008]
19. Japan had undertaken various initiatives to eliminate prejudice and discrimination against
persons affected by leprosy in view of a previous history of segregation. Specifically, in
March 2005, the members of the Verification Committee together with the Japan Law
Foundation presented their final report on Hansen’s disease. The Committee was set up by the
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in order to assess scientifically and historically the
segregation policy in relation to persons affected by leprosy and to provide guidance for
development of Government policies. The task emerged from a legal decision rendered in 2001
by the Kumamoto District Court, known as the “Hansen’s Disease Government Liability
Lawsuit”. Japan also provided, in an annex, a summary version of the Verification Committee’s
report.
20. Other measures included the creation of the National Hansen’s Disease Museum as a
mechanism for raising awareness and restoring the honour of persons affected by leprosy. In
2001, an act on payment of compensation to inmates of Hansen’s disease sanatoria was passed.
In June 2008, a new law was enacted aimed at extending social welfare services and restoring the
honour of these persons. The Ministry of Justice placed the elimination of prejudice against
persons living with HIV and persons affected by leprosy as a priority for human rights week in
2008. As of 2009, 22 June had been designated as the annual Day of restoration of honour and
remembrance of victims of Hansen’s disease prevention act, as a measure to restore the honour
of victims.
Kazakhstan
[Original: English]
[29 October 2008]
21. Official data in 2008 referred to 640 registered persons affected by leprosy (0.4 cases
per 10,000), which is regarded as the elimination limit. There were 10 children and young people
affected in the past 20 years who were treated according to WHO protocols in terms of diagnosis
and therapy. Leprosy was not a priority issue of health-care policy. There were no legal
restrictions to persons affected by leprosy. At the end of treatment at a specialized medical
hospital, the Kazakh State Leprosarium, those affected could leave and continue observation and
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