Leprosy is curable. Treatment is free. Discrimination has no place. Global Appeal To end stigma and discrimination against persons affected by leprosy SINCE 2006 Global Appeal 2012 was translated into to Bengali by The Leprosy Mission International - Bangladesh Background Message from Yohei Sasakawa History Leprosy has been one of the world’s most feared and For more than 40 years I have been involved in efforts 2020 International Paralympic Committee misunderstood diseases. Today, thanks to modern to end leprosy and the discrimination it causes. As Tokyo, Japan chemotherapy, there is an effective cure. With early WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination, 2019 International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) diagnosis and prompt treatment, it does not result in I have traveled throughout the world, listening to New Delhi, India disability or disfigurement. A bacterial disease, leprosy persons affected by leprosy and urging national 2018 Disabled Peoples’ International is only mildly communicable. Some 16 million people leaders to address the issue of discrimination in New Delhi, India have been treated and cured since the introduction of their countries. 2017 Inter-Parliamentary Union multidrug therapy (MDT) in the 1980s. But one person can only do so much. That’s New Delhi, India Many myths and misperceptions about leprosy why I began this Global Appeal to invite globally 2016 Junior Chamber International persist, however. While drugs can cure the disease, they influential leaders and organizations from different Tokyo, Japan cannot erase the social stigma and prejudice that come spheres to lend their voices and issue a powerful call to 2015 International Council of Nurses from a lack of public understanding. Discrimination end discrimination against persons affected by leprosy. Tokyo, Japan against people affected by leprosy remains severe in Over the past 15 years, many individuals 2014 National human rights organizations some parts of the world. Denied the same opportunities and groups have endorsed the Global Appeal. You Jakarta, Indonesia for education, employment and marriage as other will find here the text of every Appeal, each one 2013 International Bar Association members of society, people affected by the disease find issued shoulder to shoulder with persons affected London, UK themselves marginalized. Their access to social services by leprosy. 2012 World Medical Association is limited or non-existent and their perfectly healthy Leprosy is curable. Treatment is free. Social Sao Paulo, Brazil children may be refused admission to school. discrimination has no place. I will continue to work 2011 World leading universities Working to end this discrimination, Yohei for a world without leprosy and the discrimination it Beijing, China Sasakawa, chairman of The Nippon Foundation, causes, and see that these messages are heard. WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination 2010 World business leaders and Japanese Government Goodwill Ambassador for Mumbai, India the Human Rights of Persons Affected by Leprosy, 2009 World’s religious leaders leads an annual Global Appeal. Initiated in 2006, it London, UK is launched on or near World Leprosy Day—the last 2008 International human rights organizations Sunday in January. London, UK The Global Appeal initiative has inspired partners 2007 Representatives of people affected by in different countries to make sure that its message leprosy around the world reaches far and wide. On occasion, the appeal has been Manila, Philippines translated into Portuguese, Chinese, Bahasa Indonesia, 2006 World leaders and Nobel Peace Prize laureates Amharic, Nepali, Spanish, Swahili, French, German, New Delhi, India Russian, Japanese, Hindi, Bengali and several other Indian languages, and organizations of persons affected by leprosy undertook the job of translating, designing and printing the local-language versions. They also delivered copies to health posts, hospitals and clinics for display to raise public awareness of discrimination. Japanese Prime Minister (center) shows his support for the Global Appeal (Tokyo, 2020) Global Appeal 2006 To end stigma and discrimination Endorsed by against people affected by leprosy GLOBAL APPEAL 2016 Junior Chamber International From ancient times, leprosy has been feared around the world as a JCI (Junior Chamber International) is the leading global disguring disease without a cure — a divine punishment, even. network of active young citizens, dedicated to creating rough the ages, individuals with leprosy have suered harsh sustainable impact in their communities by seeking targeted discrimination and inequalities. solutions to local challenges. anks to the development of eective drug therapy, leprosy is now We will use our international reach to condemn and completely curable — and the cure is free. With early diagnosis and ght against the discrimination that individuals aected treatment, the disabling eects of the disease can be prevented. by leprosy experience. However, the stigma and discrimination associated with leprosy We will support activities to ensure that the next remain deeply rooted. Individuals with the disease, those who have generation is properly educated and informed to been cured and even their families nd themselves treated unjustly, eliminate the discrimination. with their opportunities for education, employment, marriage and other forms of participation in society restricted. We will aspire for a world in which individuals aected by leprosy and their families can live free from discrimination Myths and misconceptions are what prompt this stigma. In order to and enjoy the same rights and opportunities as everybody remove these misperceptions about leprosy, and eliminate the else in order to reach their greatest potential. stigma and discrimination, people need to be properly informed about the disease. Paschal Dike Kosuke Shibata Yohei Sasakawa 2016 JCI President 2015 JCI Japan President Chairman of e Nippon Foundation JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI Argentina Australia Austria Bangladesh Belgium Benin Bolivia Botswana Brazil Bulgaria Burkina Faso JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI Republic of JCI Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Catalonia Chad Chile Colombia Comoros Congo Cote d’Ivoire JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI Democratic JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI Czech Dominican Dutch Croatia Cyprus Republic of Denmark Djibouti Ecuador Egypt Estonia Republic Republic Caribbean the Congo JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI Finland France Gabon Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Guinea Haiti Honduras Hong Kong JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI Iceland India Indonesia Ireland Italy Jamaica Japan Jordan Korea Latvia Lebanon JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI Lesotho Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Mauritius JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI the JCI JCI Mexico Moldova Monaco Mongolia Morocco Myanmar Namibia Nepal Netherlands New Zealand Nicaragua JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI Puerto Norway Pakistan Panama Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Niger Nigeria Rico JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI Romania Russia Rwanda Scotland Senegal Serbia Singapore Slovakia South Africa South Sudan Sri Lanka JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI United Suriname Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Thailand Togo Tunisia Turkey Ukraine Kingdom JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI JCI Uruguay USA Venezuela Vietnam West Indies Zambia Zimbabwe Launched in Tokyo, Japan, on January 26, 2016, Global Appeal 2016 is an initiative of Yohei Sasakawa, WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination, Japanese Government Goodwill Ambassador for the Human Rights of Persons Affected by Leprosy, and Chairman of The Nippon Foundation. GLOBAL APPEAL Mr. Saber H. Chowdhury Mr. Yohei Sasakawa (Bangladesh) 2017 Chairman, President, The Nippon Foundation To End Stigma and Discrimination Inter-Parliamentary Union Against Persons Affected by Leprosy Leprosy, a disease once feared for its disfiguring effects, is completely curable today We condemn all forms of discrimination on the grounds that a person has or with modern drug therapy. Over 16 million people have been treated worldwide. once had leprosy. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment help prevent physical impairment. We recognize and support the 2010 United Nations General Assemb ly Resolution on the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons Affected by Yet mistaken beliefs about the disease persist, perpetuating social and economic Lepro sy and Their Family Members, and are committed to contributing to the discrimination. implementation of its accompanying principles and guidelines. In different parts of the world, people affected by leprosy and their family members We urge all Parliaments to promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and can find themselves: policies to end stigma and discrimination against persons affected by leprosy, ・deprived of opportunities for education, employment, and marriage. and to ensure that: ・marginalized or rejected by society. ・Persons affected by leprosy and their family members are treated at all times ・stigmatized by outdated laws and practices based on discredited assumptions. with dignity and respect; ・Persons affected by leprosy and their family members are fully represented We, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, firmly believe that solutions to the challenges and involved in political discussions and decisions which affect them, and that facing persons affected by leprosy must be firmly embedded in human rights,