World

Blog8 October 2025

The Human Rights Council asserts its role in drug policy at a time of global change

The Human Rights Council’s latest resolution on drug policy marks a turning point, reaffirming that drug control is a human-rights issue, and calling for person-centred, inclusive, and accountable approaches.

Publications3 October 2025

Shifting paradigms: United to Deliver - UN80 Initiative - Report of the Secretary-General

UNSG António Guterres proposes a restructuring of drugs, development, human rights, and HIV bodies, raising questions about oversight, civil society participation, and programme continuity.

Publications25 September 2025

Development dimensions of drug policy: Assessing new challenges, uncovering opportunities, and addressing emerging issues

UNDP charts a rights- and development-centred turn in drug policy, prioritising decriminalisation, harm reduction, equity-led transitions, and practical pathways to responsibly regulate some drug markets.

News25 September 2025

Decolonising drug policy: Protecting the coca leaf and Indigenous rights – Statement to the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

IDPC and five other organisations called on the UN to correct historic injustices, respect Indigenous perspectives, and address the harmful impacts of current drug policies.

News25 September 2025

Campaign for the elimination of violence against women who use drugs (EVAWUD 2025) - Toolkit

November 25 is the international day for elimination of violence against women. WHRIN's global campaign calls groups worldwide to join the 16 Days of Action with activities highlighting violence against women and gender diverse people who use drugs and demanding rights–based, gender-sensitive drug policies.

News24 September 2025

With the HIV response in crisis, UNAIDS must not be sunset in 2026

The world cannot potentiate struggles to end the pandemic by dismantling the foremost international body coordinating the response.

News24 September 2025

US war on 'narco-terrorists' violates the right to life, warn UN experts after deadly vessel strike

Experts warn deliberate killings may amount to murder, not law enforcement.

Publications23 September 2025

Coca leaf - Critical review report

The WHO ECDD reviews coca leaf’s chemistry, pharmacology, and uses, noting potential therapeutic effects, low toxicity, and weak evidence of dependence potential.

Publications10 September 2025

Scapegoated communities, shared struggles: A call for solidarity with people who use drugs and queer and trans people

London-Nadeau et al. urge solidarity against authoritarian attacks on bodily autonomy, highlighting shared histories of resistance and how they gesture to collective liberation.

News5 September 2025

Urgent call for continued WHO leadership on harm reduction for people who use drugs – Open letter to the WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

Civil society urges WHO to sustain leadership on harm reduction, resist funding cuts, and ensure meaningful community involvement.

Events

Drug policy reform: A powerful tool to prevent serious human rights violations

Geneva, Switzerland / Online

16 September 2025

The event will explore how drug policy reform can prevent serious human rights violations, broaden discussions beyond health, and highlight pathways toward decriminalisation, the abolition of the death penalty, and international cooperation.

News2 September 2025

60th Session of the Human Rights Council: Drug policy opportunities

The 60th Session is an opportunity to bring attention to the impact of drug control policies on human rights worldwide, with the death penalty, violations of international humanitarian law, forced disappearances, and discussions on arbitrary detention taking place.

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