MENAHRA position statement: Human rights day

We must recognize today, Human Rights Day, as a proclamation for all citizens and nations to stand and reflect on the progress that has been made in human rights and assess global gaps that still affect the lives of all citizens. On this day, humanity looks forward to a better life, a life in which all people can maintain their dignity and freedom from fear.

On this day in 1950, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed December 10th to be Human Rights Day in order to draw the attention of the people of the world to the fact that "all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights." Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person, regardless of race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

The Middle East and North Africa Harm Reduction Association (MENAHRA) urges all governments to respect human rights by encouraging anti-discriminatory legislation as well as the implementation and promotion of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. MENAHRA also hopes that international conventions may result in recommendations that will advocate governments to uphold all civil rights, social rights, and rights to access health care. In their legislations, all governments should include rights of all people who use drugs and all people living with HIV.

This day should be recognized as an opportunity to ensure that all governments and institutions uphold, respect, and promote their legal and moral obligations towards the rights that all people and groups are entitled to, especially people who use drugs and people who are HIV positive.

Thereby, MENAHRA calls for civil societies, individuals, groups, and institutions to advocate governments to adopt policies and regulations that promote and ensure the human rights of all citizens of the world.

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