New Delhi, September 18th, 2012

The National Human Rights Commission organized a day-long conference on Leprosy in New Delhi today. Inaugurating the seminar, Mr. Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, Chairperson, NHRC said that the state has a duty to protect rights of persons affected by leprosy. Various programmes have been prepared by the Central and State Governments to provide leprosy affected persons equal opportunity in society, but many of these are not being effectively implemented. The statistics sounds good on paper but ground realities are different.

Justice Balakrishnan said that leprosy is a curable disease, but the misconception about it continues in society. Due to this, leprosy affected persons are denied equal opportunity in society affecting their economic and social status.

Justice Balakrishnan said that there may be instances when leprosy affected persons have been denied their constitutional rights including right to life, right to liberty and right to equally among others. Leprosy should not be the reason to deny anyone the right to marry or for divorce.

Justice Balakrishnan said that issue of financial assistance to leprosy affected persons is a point of serious concern. Some states have a provision of pension for them, but most of the states do not have such a scheme. Moreover, there is no uniformity in the amount of pension being paid to them. They are forced to live in appalling conditions in colonies, deprived of proper water, sanitation and other facilities which are essential for leading a dignified life. Their children are also discriminated against and they are not able to avail the facilities of education which is their fundamental right.

Several important issues concerning the laws, social and economic rights, welfare schemes for the leprosy affected persons were discussed in the four sessions of the seminar chaired by the Members of the Commission, Mr. Justice G.P. Mathur, Mr. Justice B.C. Patel and Mr. Satyabrata Pal. It was unanimously felt that in addition to working towards changing the mindset of the people about the myths attached with the leprosy, it is essential to repeal all the Acts at various levels, which are discriminatory to the persons affected with leprosy. It was also felt that apart from the treatment facilities for the leprosy affected persons, their economic and social rehabilitation needs to be prioritized by the respective state governments.

Several prominent persons participated in the discussions who included among others, representatives of the Central Ministries, states, civil society, international institutions, SHRCs and senior officers of the NHRC.

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