Addressing the intersection of poverty, child protection, and drug policy in EECA - Contribution to the upcoming report of the UN SR on extreme poverty

In response to the call from the Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights, Mr. Olivier De Schutter, the Eurasian Harm Reduction Association (EHRA) has submitted a detailed report for inclusion in the thematic report “Welfare and Control: The Paternalism of Support,” to be presented at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in October 2025. The report will examine critical concerns in child protection services, including safeguards to ensure that poverty alone is not treated as child neglect, protection of family privacy in interactions with child protection authorities, and measures to prevent parents from avoiding social services due to fear of losing custody of their children.

Developed by EHRA, the regional analysis highlights the profound impact of repressive drug policies in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) on parental rights, particularly for individuals registered as people who use drugs or those receiving opioid agonist treatment (OAT). In countries like Belarus, Estonia, Kazakhstan, and others, punitive legal frameworks often lead to the unjust removal of children from families. Women who use drugs face systemic human rights violations, including forced drug testing, breaches of medical privacy, and barriers to shelters in cases of gender-based violence, along with limited access to healthcare services. These policies not only deter parents from seeking essential support but also expose families to institutional violence and discrimination, exacerbating social inequalities and undermining public health efforts. The report underscores the urgent need for policy reforms to ensure that child protection systems are not used as punitive tools against marginalized communities but instead fulfill their purpose of safeguarding children while upholding fundamental human rights.