第44回人権理事会 議題3 アリス・クルス・ハンセン病差別撤廃特別報告者とのインタラクティブ・ダイアローグにおける岡庭健大使によるステートメント（2020年7月6日）
令和2年7月21日
Item 3: Interactive Dialogue with Ms. Alice Cruz,
Special Rapporteur on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members
Statement by Ambassador OKANIWA Ken
The Permanent Mission of Japan in Geneva
For the past three years, the Special Rapporteur has done excellent work, including country visits, collection of good practices, and mainstreaming in the field of human rights. We welcome her official visit to Japan in February and the subsequent report submitted to this Council. Her report provides detailed account of Japan’s efforts to eliminate discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members, including the abolishment of the past policy of isolating persons affected by leprosy, offering of public apologies and payment of compensation to former patients and their family members as part of efforts to restore their honour. We sincerely hope the report will be read widely so that momentum for the elimination of this discrimination will be enhanced worldwide.
Despite the work of the Special Rapporteur, global efforts to eliminate discrimination still has some way to go. As a leading country, Japan therefore decided to submit a resolution to extend the mandate for another three years.
Japan also requests that OHCHR and States concerned continue to cooperate with Ms. Cruz so that she can fulfill her mandate.
Madam Special Rapporteur, COVID-19 may exacerbate the already difficult situation of persons affected by leprosy. How should this problem be addressed?
I thank you, Mr. Vice-President.