Civil society engagement

Publications15 October 2026

Civil society space – Report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

The OHCHR warns that shrinking civic space, restrictive legislation and funding cuts are undermining civil society participation, including the work of organisations advocating for harm reduction and rights-based drug policies.

Events

Youth information sessions on the CND expert panel reviewing the global drug control system

Online

19 October 2026 - 20 October 2026

Youth RISE and partners are organising two interactive sessions to help young advocates engage with the UN expert panel reviewing the international drug control system and prepare written submissions.

Publications10 September 2026

'Global Solidarity, Don't Punish' — Report on the 2026 Support. Don't Punish Global Day of Action, with a focus on women and gender expansive people who use drugs

WHRIN documents 19 actions led by women and gender expansive people who use drugs across 16 countries, with this year's campaign marked by country-level coordination and consortium collaborations that increased the reach of collective action.

News10 September 2026

CND Expert Panel invites contributions to independent review of UN drug policy

Civil society, communities and other stakeholders are invited to submit evidence, experiences and recommendations to the CND Expert Panel, as it considers the future of the UN drug control system ahead of the 2029 high-level review.

Blog8 September 2026

Celebrating Martin Jelsma’s contribution to the drug policy reform movement

After more than three decades at the forefront of drug policy reform, Martin Jelsma retires from TNI, leaving an extraordinary legacy of advancing human rights, social justice and more humane approaches to drugs.

Publications2 September 2026

IDPC Progress Report 2025-2026

IDPC reflects on two decades of collective action and a year of resilience, highlighting advances in human rights, international drug policy reform and grassroots mobilisation, despite political backlash, shrinking civic space and funding cuts.

Blog13 August 2026

IDPC labelled 'undesirable' by the Russian Federation

IDPC’s designation as an ‘undesirable organisation’ exemplifies Russia’s crackdown on civil society and human rights and, while it will not deter our work, it poses serious risks for people in Russia who engage with or share it.

Publications23 July 2026

Ten years of the Brandenburg Forum on Drugs and Development Policies - Anniversary report

The Global Partnership on Drug Policies and Development reflects on ten years of the Brandenburg Forum and its contribution to more humane, development-oriented, evidence-based and rights-affirming drug policies.

Publications22 July 2026

Progress amidst uncertainty: Report of the 69th session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs

IDPC discusses the Commission's post-consensus 'new normal' and how it creates opportunities for progress on harm reduction and reform amid growing divisions and threats to rights.

News20 July 2026

Interior Ministry pushes for full implementation of Ghana’s drug law

Ghana is moving to realise the promises of the 2020 drug law reform, prioritising a health and rights approach, and offering alternatives to conviction and incarceration.

Publications20 July 2026

Civil society statements of priorities for the 2026 United Nations High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS

Civil society and community networks call for the Political Declaration to protect community leadership, advance decriminalisation, sustainably finance harm reduction and place human rights at the centre.

Blog13 July 2026

The REFORM Project: Growing the drug policy reform movement in Southeast Asia

The REFORM project demonstrated how community leadership, legal empowerment and media engagement can create mutually reinforcing pathways to advance health and rights-based drug policies.

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