Policy, legislation and its implementation
Persons with leprosy related disabilities are the only group amongst people with disabilities who face ‘legal discrimination’ on account of discriminatory legislations that exist in many countries, denying them some of the critical rights guaranteed under the CRPD such as the right to political participation and equal recognition before the law. The Leprosy Mission is fully committed to ending stigma and discrimination by working along with persons affected by empowering them to combat discriminatory laws.
Timeframe and/or implementation plan
By 2023, TLM will endeavour to reduce discriminatory laws by 75% and ensure at least 50% of the leprosy endemic countries address stigma and discrimination under the international treaties ratified by them.We will work with the CRPD Committee to ensure 21 leprosy endemic state parties to CRPD promote human rights of persons with leprosy related disabilities.
Representation and empowerment of persons with disabilities
TLM commits to supporting people disabled by leprosy to actively participate in the disability movement to strive towards the implementation of the UNCRPD. It will support the empowerment of people affected by leprosy through rights awareness, support for mental wellbeing, skills development and strengthening of leprosy people’s organisations.
Timeframe and/or implementation plan
By 2023, TLM through its collaboration and partnership with the Disabled People’s International will ensure persons with leprosy related disabilities and their representative organizations are members of the DPOs in the countries where we work and the Member National Assemblies represent the rights of persons with leprosy related disabilities. We will continue to advocate for inclusion of information on persons with leprosy related disabilities by the state parties article 35 of the CRPD.