Support. Don’t Punish: Advancing towards a health and human rights-based approach to drug policy

SIDE EVENT - 59th Session of the UN Human Rights Council

When? Friday 27 June 2025 · 13:00–14:00 (CET)
Where? Room XXVII, Palais des Nations, Geneva

Online access: forthcoming

Light food provided

This side event will take place during the 59th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, on the occasion of World Drugs Day 2025 and as part of the Support. Don’t Punish Global Day of Action.

Drug policies have long been dominated by punitive approaches, with devastating consequences for millions, especially those living in poverty, facing structural racism, or belonging to marginalised communities. Recent developments within the United Nations have strengthened the call for public health- and human rights-based approaches to drugs.

This event will take stock of progress in fulfilling the right to health for people who use drugs, particularly through harm reduction strategies. It will also explore opportunities for reform at both national and international levels.

Organised by: The Permanent Representations of Colombia, Greece, Mexico,
Portugal and Switzerland to the United Nations in Geneva, the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, UNAIDS, the
International Drug Policy Consortium, the African Network of People Who Use
Drugs, Amnesty International, Dejusticia, Elementa DDHH, the Global
Commission on Drug Policy, Harm Reduction International, the International
Network of People Who Use Drugs and Skoun Lebanese Addiction Centre