NGOs report back from the 54th Session of the CND

The 54th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) took place from 21st to 25th March 2011. A number of organisations that participated to the meeting share their impressions of the event.

The Eurasian Harm Reduction Network

A few days after the end of the CND, Simona Merkinaite, from the Eurasian Harm Reduction Network (EHRN), shared her impressions on the CND's formal proceedings. This includes detailed accounts on the opening speech from the UNODC Executive Director, Mr. Fedotov, the adoption of key resolutions, and the organisation of several NGO satellite events at the margins of the formal proceedings. Read more.

Youth groups

Young people were represented at the CND through Espolea, the Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AIDS, the Global Youth Action Network and Youth RISE. Based on their participation, youth groups have produced a small report-back featuring the resolutions approved at this year's Committee of the Whole and why it is needed to further integrate the youth HIV response to the efforts of drug policy reform. The document is available in English and Spanish.

The Harm Reduction Coalition

Allan Clear and Heather Haase JD also reported from the CND meeting by discussing diverse topics on their blog, including the Bolivian proposal to remove the international ban on coca leaf chewing, drug legalisation, civil society participation, the role of the UN drug control bodies, etc. More information can also be found on i-tunes.

The Hungarian Civil Liberties Union

The video advocacy team of the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (HCLU) attended the CND this year and produced 3 videos on the event:

• The first video shows the demonstration of the Drug Lords International (DLI) at the Vienna International Centre - a spoof celebration of the 50th anniversary of the global drug prohibition regime.
• In the second video the HCLU asked Mr. Yuri Fedotov, the head of the UNODC and his critics to comment on the 50th anniversary.
• The third video features a press conference organised by the Russian delegation at the CND - the HCLU keeps asking the same question from Russian and UN officials: why is opiate substitution treatment still not available in a country with a terrible drug-related HIV epidemic?