Leprosy Mailing List – November 20th,
2006
Ref.: Discrimination
From: Gopal P. K., Coimbatore,
India
Dear All,
The National Forum of people affected by
leprosy started last year conducted the 2nd National Conference on
Integration and Empowerment of People affected by leprosy in New Delhi
on 4th October 2006. Totally
700 participants attended the conference from different states.
For about 200 persons from
different states Hotel accommodations was arranged by IDEA India.
IDEA India has been the organiser of the conference. Rooms
were reserved in different Hotels including YMCA. An advance was also paid to
YMCA. Few days after the YMCA wrote to me saying
"they were not informed that the rooms were reserved for
the group of lepers". I have attached herewith the letter for your
information.
This is an insult to the persons affected
by leprosy and a violation of Human Rights. The letter
itself is very derogatory. If
such discriminations continue the stigma will aggravate and
integration of the affected people in the community will be very
difficult. The fear about the disease among the public will also
increase and will also affected treatment programme. So I
have taken this as an opportunity to educate not only the YMCA but
through this, also other individuals and institutions, generally
the public so that the persons affected by leprosy will be treated
with dignity.
Information on this incident
was given to the Media and a complaint was also lodged with the
India Human Rights Commission. I
have attached herewith also the news in the Deccan Herald News Paper for your
information.
Dr. P. K. Gopal
President, IDEA India
