Human Rights Council cross-regional statement on Drugs and Human Rights

News

Human Rights Council cross-regional statement on Drugs and Human Rights

24 September 2014

Draft cross-regional statement on Drugs and Human Rights General Debate Item 8 (Monday, September 22nd)

Thank you Mr. President.

I have the honour of delivering this statement on behalf of Argentina, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Colombia, Equatorial Guinea, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Panama, Switzerland, Timor-Leste, Uruguay.

Mr. President,

We would like to raise the attention of the Human Right Council onto the Special Session on the world drug problem, convened by the UN General Assembly by means of Resolution 67/193. This Special Session, which will take place in 2016, will assess the achievements and challenges of the international community in countering the world drug problem. It is the first such event for almost twenty years.

We look forward to having a frank and open discussion during the GA special session, one informed by the best available evidence and therealities confronting our States, communities and regions. This will allow us to conduct a realistic review of the global response to the drug problem, with arguments and data on what is –and what is not –working, as well as what can be improved or needs to be changed.

In this context, we consider that it is important to analyse the different dimensions of the issue beyond the traditional approach, which still relies heavily on the reduction of drug demand and supply through prohibition, law enforcement and criminal justice. In particular, we see a pressing need to take into account a Human Rights and public health approach when addressing the world drug problem, when assessing current policies and when finding solutions.

Click here to read the full declaration.

Keep up-to-date with drug policy developments by subscribing to the IDPC Monthly Alert.