A/HRC/35/38 issue. Mainstreaming leprosy in school curricula and providing information in the media about advances in the treatment of leprosy and that fact that leprosy is not easily transmissible nor infectious once treated is also important. 75. States should review and identify national policies, laws and practices that may engender stigma and discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members and amend or repeal such discriminatory policies and laws. States should also consider developing policies and laws that prohibit any acts aimed at discriminating against or isolating or excluding persons affected by leprosy and their family members, in line with the principles and guidelines. 76. States should designate an appropriate body and establish a national committee comprising all relevant stakeholders, including persons affected by leprosy and their family members, to follow up and monitor the implementation of the principles and guidelines. An existing institution such as the national human rights institution, whose mandate is principally to ensure the promotion and protection of human rights of all persons within its jurisdiction, or the Ministry of Health that conducts the national leprosy programme may be considered as viable options to coordinate, follow up and monitor the actions and measures taken by government entities at all levels. 77. States should ensure and support the full and meaningful participation of persons affected by leprosy and their family members, including women, children and other vulnerable groups, at all levels of the decision-making process on matters that have a direct or indirect impact on all aspects of their lives. That would send a powerful message that their human dignity and rights are recognized on an equal basis with others and would contribute to eliminating the social stigma attached to leprosy. The slogan “Nothing for us, without us” should be respected by all States concerned. 78. States should ensure that appropriate and respectful language is used by all segments of society to refer to persons affected by leprosy, or Hansen’s disease, and their family members. In particular, the use of the term “leper” or its equivalent in other languages should be avoided at all costs, as it connotes marginalization and rejection by society and also discourages those affected from seeking treatment in a timely manner. B. At the international level 79. Discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members continues to exist in various forms in many countries. The principles and guidelines for the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy confirm and build upon the core principle of non-discrimination enshrined in international human rights law and constitute a benchmark for upholding the human rights of persons affected by leprosy and their family members. They represent the standard to be upheld by States in assuming their responsibility to prohibit all forms of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members. The centrality of the principles of equality and non-discrimination in international human rights law and the adoption of the principles and guidelines by the United Nations human rights machinery and the General Assembly make them authoritative standards against which to measure States’ responsibility towards persons affected by leprosy and their family members. 80. Owing to the multiple forms of discrimination and violation of the human rights of persons affected by leprosy and their family members and in order to address their specific needs in terms of access to health care, education, employment and reintegration and rehabilitation into society in a holistic manner, it is recommended that a specific mechanism be established within the United Nations human rights system to address the issue and to encourage States and other relevant actors to implement the principles and guidelines. The mechanism should also be mandated to follow up, monitor and report on measures taken and progress made by States towards the effective implementation of the principles and guidelines. 81. Although existing special procedures address many aspects of the human rights of various groups, none addresses the human rights issues concerning persons affected 16