Human rights, harm reduction and drug policy: Redoubling efforts reform and funding efforts - IDPC statement at the 57th session of the Human Rights Council

58th session of the Human Rights Council (September-October 2024)

Agenda item 2 (General Debate)

Statement delivered by the International Drug Policy Consortium

Mister President,

This statement is made jointly by IDPC and 2 other organisations.

We are highly concerned by the wide-ranging human rights violations committed in the name of drug control in all corners of the world - ranging from the use of the death penalty, to extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests and detention, police violence, the denial of access to life-saving harm reduction services and essential medicines, and widespread cases of discrimination. And yet, the global drug control system seems stuck in inertia, unable to put an end to these egregious human rights abuses.

We welcome the leadership role played by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in calling for transformative change in drug policy. We also welcome the efforts by the UN human rights system to elevate this issue in Geneva - in particular last year’s landmark reports on harm reduction by the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to health.

At this juncture, the involvement of the UN human rights system is absolutely critical to realign global and national drug policies with human rights.

We therefore urge you to consider strengthening the role of the OHCHR and the Human Rights Council in drug policy matters via the adoption of a new resolution on drugs and human rights. This would ensure that they can systematically document and report on the human rights abuses resulting from drug policy - and work with policy makers, civil society and affected communities to urgently change policies and practices on the ground.

Thank you very much for your attention.

Co-signatories:

• HAYAT, Malaysia
• Eurasian Harm Reduction Association

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Panel discussion on the realization of human rights in sustaining and increasing the gains made in the HIV response and leaving no one behind

Statement delivered by the International Drug Policy Consortium

Thank you, Chair.

I am making this statement on behalf of the International Drug Policy Consortium and Harm Reduction International.

Key affected populations remain disproportionately impacted by the HIV epidemic – and yet, the funding dedicated to HIV prevention, treatment and care among people who use drugs, sex workers and men who have sex with men has traditionally been insufficient.

Today, we are raising the alarm regarding the catastrophic impact of recent US funding cuts on people who use drugs and other key affected populations.

According to HRI, in 2022, PEPFAR was the second-largest donor to harm reduction in low- and middle-income countries.

The consequences of these cuts are devastating. Funding for essential harm reduction services has been halted overnight. Globally, service providers have been dismissed without notice. Peer workers have suddenly lost access to HIV and HCV medications, medical and support and their income. Many will die.

Harm reduction is a proven public health intervention endorsed by the entire UN system. Investing in harm reduction is not just a moral obligation; it is an investment in global health, security, and human dignity.

We therefore call on governments and donors to take action now:

First, by investing in harm reduction within their domestic budgets.

Secondly, prioritising investments in the Global Fund, as the largest donor to harm reduction in low- and middle-income countries.

Finally, by ending the criminalisation of people who use drugs.

Thank you very much.