Repeal Anti-Leprosy Legislation in India
- by: The Leprosy Mission England & Wales
- recipient: His Excellency Pranab Mukherjee, President of India
Of the quarter of a million new cases of leprosy diagnosed worldwide each year, there are more people affected by the disease in India than any other country. Leprosy can be devastating, not just due to the disability that can result from the infection but also due to the stigma and social exclusion that often accompany diagnosis.
Leprosy is easily cured with antibiotics and 95% of people are immune to it. Yet in India leprosy is still feared, resulting in discrimination and human rights abuses.
Indian legislation directly and indirectly discriminates against people affected by the disease and people are subject to human rights abuses. For example
-Leprosy is grounds for divorce (Hindu Marriage Act, 1955; Dissolution of Muslim Marriage Act, 1939; Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872; Indian Divorce Act, 1869)
-The wording of the Indian Railways Act 1989 means people cured of leprosy, but disabled as a result of it, are often refused travel
-The wording of the Motor Vehicle Act 1988 means people affected by leprosy are often denied driving licences
Stand up for the rights of people affected by leprosy and sign this petition to call the Indian Government to repeal discriminatory legislation.
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We the undersigned wish to highlight the discrimination faced by Indian citizens who are affected by leprosy and call the Government of India to take action to protect their human and legal rights.
Leprosy is easily cured with antibiotics and 95% of people are immune to it. Yet in India the disease is still feared, resulting in discrimination and human rights abuses.
Indian legislation directly and indirectly discriminates against people affected by the disease. For example:
- Leprosy is grounds for divorce (Hindu Marriage Act, 1955; Dissolution of Muslim Marriage Act, 1939; Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872; Indian Divorce Act, 1869)
- The wording of the Indian Railways Act 1989 means people cured of leprosy, but disabled as a result of it, are often refused travel
- The wording of the Motor Vehicle Act 1988 means people affected by leprosy are often denied driving licences
In response to the Rajya Sabha Committee on petitions hundred and thirty-eighth report on action taken by government on observations/recommendations contained in its hundred and thirty-first report on petitions praying for integration and empowerment of leprosy affected persons, we call the Government of India to repeal/amend discriminatory legislation.
We also call the Government of India to implement the UN Principles and Guidelines on the Elimination of Discrimination Against People Affected by Leprosy and their Family Members, including refraining from using the word ‘leper’ in its publications.
Thank you for taking time to read this letter. We look forward to hearing the action that the Government of India will take to protect the rights of its citizens affected by leprosy.
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