NHRC Tells Supreme Court: Laws Still Discriminate Against Leprosy Persons Despite Disease Being Curable

The National Human Rights Commission informed the Supreme Court that 97 Central and State laws still contain provisions discriminating against persons affected by leprosy.

The disclosure was made in a PIL where the Court had earlier asked authorities to identify and remove such provisions. 

NHRC’s report includes an advisory noting that leprosy is now completely curable.

It recommends amending the 97 discriminatory laws in a time-bound manner and extending protections under Section 8 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, to all leprosy-affected persons and their families.

[Federation of Leprosy Organisations v. Union of India & Ors]