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 Did you know that there are UK immigration guidelines which discriminate against people affected by leprosy and violate their human rights?
The guidelines are those issued to medical referees1[1] considering applications for entry into the UK, which recommend that people affected by leprosy are refused entry. It should be noted that leprosy is now easily treated, often before the disease leads to disability and a person affected by leprosy poses no threat to public health. There are therefore no medical grounds for refusal of entry. If denial of entry is based on a person's ability to support themselves and their family, it should be noted that it would not be the  leprosy that would prevent work; rather any associated disability. People disabled by leprosy should therefore be treated as any other disabled person.
It is therefore essential, for the human rights of people affected by leprosy and the credibility of UK legislation, to remove reference to leprosy from the immigration guidelines for medical referees.
ACT NOW: write a letter to your local MP or the Minister for Immigration
1 [1] UK Border Agency, Medical Issues Guidelines, MED6 What are the objectives and criteria for the medical recommendation?
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