| Photo Credit: S_GODSONmore-inStating that despite amendments, the Special Marriage Act 1954 and almost all personal laws contain discriminatory provisions against people affected by leprosy, Disabled Peoples’ International (DPI) global chair Javed Abidi said. Previously on request from several leprosy organisations, the Law Commission took up the study of amending/repealing laws that are discriminatory towards people affected by leprosy. 256 titled, “Leprosy Affected Persons and the Laws applicable to them”. Not much progressIt not only recommended repealing and amending some discriminatory laws, but also framing a new comprehensive legislation dealing with all aspects of rights of persons affected by leprosy and their family members, “Elimination of Discrimination against Persons affected by Leprosy (EDPAL) Bill, 2015”. The Bill has provisions to ensure non-discrimination of persons affected by leprosy by any person or any public or private establishment.

Source: The Hindu January 29, 2018 20:03 UTC