Protecting the rights of people who use drugs in Kenya

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Protecting the rights of people who use drugs in Kenya

16 April 2014

In Kenya, the rights of people who use drugs (PUD) are often violated. On the one hand, the country’s Constitution and recently developed health policies and guidelines recognise the human rights, including the health rights, of PUD. On the other hand, the group is criminalised under the country’s laws related to drugs. As part of the Bridging the Gaps programme, Mainline and its partner organisations in Kenya recently conducted research to provide insight into this contradictory situation and the impact on their work aiming at HIV and hepatitis C prevention.

Mainline’s partners in Kenya that work on promoting the human rights of PUD, particularly their health rights, face the challenge that these rights are often violated by the government, law enforcement agencies, health workers, and the community. PUD are criminalised under the Kenyan Narcotic Act, resulting in stigmatisation and discrimination. They are frequently harassed by the police and denied access to health care, prevention services, and treatment by general health workers.

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