INCB statement for Human Rights Day 2025

Vienna, 10 December - "Our everyday essentials" is the focus of Human Rights Day 2025, which is an opportunity to reflect on global efforts to protect and promote basic human rights, such as food, shelter, education and health. The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) is highlighting the role of the international drug control conventions in promoting and safeguarding human rights, particularly the right to health.

Through the international drug control conventions, States have made a commitment to ensuring the availability of internationally controlled narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for medical and scientific purposes. INCB supports Governments in their efforts to improve such availability, including in humanitarian emergencies through the use of simplified control procedures, and urges opioid-manufacturing countries to increase the availability of affordable oral morphine for pain management.

While the conventions provide flexibility in the adoption of legislative and administrative measures, Governments need to ensure that the drug control treaties are implemented in compliance with human rights obligations, the principle of proportionality and the rule of law.

Noting with grave concern increasing reports of extrajudicial targeting of suspected drug trafficking and extrajudicial killing carried out during drug trafficking interdiction measures, INCB stresses that such actions cannot be justified under international law and the drug control conventions. Extra-judicial responses to any alleged drug-related activities are in violation of the drug control conventions and fundamental human rights, which require that alleged drug-related crimes be addressed through formal procedures adhering to due process.

Human Rights Day 2025 is a reminder of the need to place human rights protections at the heart of drug policies. INCB is committed to ongoing cooperation with Member States to improve the implementation of the drug control conventions in accordance with international human rights standards, with the ultimate aim of the safeguarding health and welfare of all people.