Statement on the next Special Rapporteur on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members

The Leprosy Mission calls on the United Nations to select someone with personal experience of leprosy as the next Special Rapporteur on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members.

We believe a person who has experienced the intersecting challenges, stigma, and discrimination of life following a leprosy diagnosis would be the best placed to take on the role of Special Rapporteur on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members.

We believe this because a person with first-hand experience of leprosy discrimination would be best placed to articulate this discrimination to policymakers and human rights experts. We believe this because a person with this first-hand experience would be best placed to quickly and effectively earn the respect of organisations of persons affected by leprosy. And lastly, we believe this because a person with this first-hand experience would be best placed to stand at the United Nations as an authentic representative of the millions of people who have experienced leprosy around the world today.

If there is a well-qualified candidate for the position who has personal experience of leprosy, we encourage the United Nations to appoint that person. It would be a moment for celebration within the leprosy world.