The situation of children affected by leprosy represented globally

As part of its global advocacy strategy to mainstream the rights of persons affected by leprosy within the disability rights movement, The Leprosy Mission International (TLMI) took part in the Civil Society Forum (CSF) and the Conference of the States Parties (CoSP) to the convention on the rights of persons with disabilities for the second consecutive year in June 2019.

Brent Morgan, International Director of TLMI and member of ILEP, was one of the civil society speakers to address the CSF on the deprivation of liberty in the case of children affected by leprosy. He highlighted barriers faced by persons with leprosy related disabilities and psychosocial disabilities in accessing the rights guaranteed by the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. He also showcased some of the preferred practices in addressing stigma and discrimination, such as participation, non-discrimination and accountability.

Amar Timalsina, President of IDEA and a member of the TLMI delegation, spoke about the efforts made by his organisation in sensitising Nepal’s provincial government assemblies to the rights of persons affected by leprosy-related disabilities.

Brent, as one of the few civil society representatives chosen to address the Conference of State Parties (the national governments that have ratified the CRPD), emphasised the importance of developing the capacity of UN agencies in disability inclusion. He also suggested measures to incentivise UN Country Teams to promote disability-inclusive United Nations Development Assistance Frameworks at the country level.