Special Rapporteur on discrimination against persons with leprosy (Hansen’s disease)

Special Rapporteur on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy (Hansen’s disease) and their family members

About the mandate

In many parts of the world, persons affected by leprosy and their family members continue to face multiple forms of discrimination and widespread barriers to their participation as equal members of society including isolation and violations of their human rights.

Resolution 29/5, adopted by the Human Rights Council in June 2015, aims at intensifying efforts to eliminate all forms of prejudice and discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members, and to promote policies that facilitate their inclusion and participation.

At its 35th session in June 2017, the Human Rights Council established the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members for three years (resolution 35/9). The mandate was extended in July 2023 by three more years (resolution 53/8).

Learn more about the mandate and its activities.

Current mandate holder

Dr. Beatriz Miranda Galarza (Ecuador) was appointed UN Special Rapporteur on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy (Hansen’s disease) and their family members in October 2023. She works as coordinator of the Research and the Critical Disability Studies Programme in Institute of Critical Studies (Mexico).