50th session of the Human Rights Council

 

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Working Group on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members

 

17 June 2022

 

Statement by Portugal

 

 

Chairperson,

Portugal aligns with the statement by the EU.

Let me start by welcoming the Special Rapporteur and her report.

The disruption of ties, the isolation and sometimes stigma that the whole society went through during COVID has been the experience for centuries of persons affected by leprosy and their families.

The segregation and dehumanization that persons affected by leprosy suffer is demonstrated by the two cases you included in your report. And it is striking to note that while the number of new cases is going down, availability of new drugs and treatments is not improving and the tendency for leprosy to lose priority at the government level has increased.

Leprosy is a multidimensional human rights issue. We must change the paradigm in addressing leprosy by way of a real human rights perspective, to address the underlying causes of discrimination. We support the Special Rapporteur’s efforts to bring the matter to the Council’s attention.

Ms. Cruz, you say that one of the greatest challenges in the medical care of leprosy are the reactions to medicines, which can cause great physical and mental suffering. What responses should we look for to address this challenge and what is the role for States and relevant stakeholders?

Thank you.

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