Acting High Commissioner and head of Nippon Foundation discuss discrimination against people with leprosy

3 July 2003






Acting United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Bertrand Ramcharan met on 2 July with the Nippon Foundation to discuss the problem of discrimination against people with leprosy and their families.

Mr. Ramcharan and Nippon Foundation President Yohei Sasakawa concurred that the problem of discrimination and social stigmatization suffered by those affected by leprosy should be addressed from a human rights perspective. The acting High Commissioner said it would be important to bring the issue to the attention of the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to health and to other relevant UN human rights organs.

Mr. Ramcharan and Mr. Sasakawa both expressed interest in a continuing dialogue and cooperation and agreed on the need to increase awareness of issues related to discrimination against people affected by leprosy. Mr. Ramcharan further suggested that the Sub-Commission on the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights, which will meet from 28 July to 15 August in Geneva, could provide an opportunity to organize a briefing on the human rights issues faced by those affected by leprosy. The Nippon Foundation and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights agreed on their interest in collaborating – along with the World Health Organization -- in such awareness-raising and advocacy efforts.





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