Care and support for persons affected by leprosy (Hansen’s disease) and their family members from a human rights perspective

This report looks at how to improve care and support for persons affected by leprosy (Hansen’s disease) and their families. Leprosy is not just a disease; it also brings discrimination, poverty, and social problems. The report says that we need to go beyond just treating the disease and focus on helping people live full, happy lives with respect and dignity. The United Nations is a group of 193 countries that work together to make sure that the rights of every person in the world are protected. In 2017 the United Nations approved the creation of the Mandate on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy (Hansen´s disease) and their family members. The Special Rapporteur is Beatriz Miranda-Galarza. Her work is to promote the defence of the rights of persons affected by leprosy/Hansen’s disease and their family members by advocating and providing information to governments, international organizations, and UN bodies and offices. As part of her work, she presents two reports about the rights of persons affected by leprosy a year. One in New York and another in Geneva. To write them she consults governments, local and international organizations of persons affected, as well as experts in different topics related to leprosy.