Tell Aardman to stop making fun of leprosy

Body parts do not fall off people affected by leprosy.

A trailer, promoting the new animated film, portrays those affected by leprosy for humorous effect.  It shows an arm falling off a character on a so-called leper boat. Watch the trailer here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPJF6mR6krM

Every two minutes, a person, possibly a child, is diagnosed with leprosy.  They will be scared of the disease and the terrible discrimination it will probably bring and they will invariably be one of the poorest of the poor.

The word leper is derogatory, outdated, and is associated with someone who has been rejected, ostracised or regarded as an outcast.

People affected by leprosy have asked that the word no longer be used. It is an offensive term that has historically been used to justify appalling treatment and the passing of stigmatizing legislation.

The Leprosy Mission is calling for the scene to be removed from the film, as well as an apology to be issued by those involved in its production.

Will you join our campaign to end the use of this humiliating term?  Sign our petition now.

David Sproxton

Executive Chairman 

Aardman Animations

Gas Ferry Road
Bristol
BS1 6UN


We the undersigned are writing to express our disappointment at the insensitivity and lack of awareness of disability issues shown in the trailer for your upcoming release, The Pirates! In An Adventure With Scientists.

In a scene from the film, the ‘Pirate Captain’ is shown boarding a boat and demanding gold. He is told by a crewmember that there is none on board because the boat is a “leper ship”. This is illustrated, for comic effect, by the fact that his arm then falls off.
It is shocking that in the 21st century, a high profile filmmaker finds it acceptable to make light of a disease which is still the cause of suffering and discrimination to millions of people worldwide.

Over 200,000 new cases of leprosy were diagnosed in 2010. Although it can now be cured with multidrug therapy, those affected by leprosy are still the targets of discrimination, often being rejected by society, ostracised by family members and deeply impacted by poverty.

People affected by leprosy have also asked that the word leper is no longer used. It is an offensive term that has historically been used to justify appalling treatment and the passing of stigmatizing legislation.

It is completely inappropriate and insulting, therefore, to portray leprosy as something comedic and casually use the word leper. By showing a character’s arm falling off, you are also demonstrating a lack of knowledge about the disease and perpetuating the myth that it causes body parts to fall off. There is a wealth of medical and educational information available to back this up, as made available by organisations such as The Leprosy Mission.

World Health Organisation officials, activists and people affected by leprosy have already raised their objections to the film as they fear it could undo the hard work they have done over the years to combat stigma and misinformation.

As a result, we request that the scene in question be removed from the trailer and from the film itself, and that an apology be issued by those involved in its production.

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