Compulsory centres for drug users

Publications18 September 2023

54th session of the Human Rights Council: Drug policy opportunities

Harm Reduction International identify key moments where drug policy will be addressed in the upcoming 54th Session of the Human Rights Council, presenting significant prospects for reform.

Blog1 June 2023

After the national election, will Thailand move forward in realising a human rights and harm reduction approach to drugs?

The incoming Thai government coalition must put electoral politics aside and focus on enacting drug policies grounded in principles of social justice, harm reduction, and human rights.

News19 April 2023

Singapore changes laws to tackle new psychoactive substances, increases penalties for drug possession

Singapore's new highly punitive legislative framework, designed to tackle new psychoactive substances, sees the maximum jail sentence for drug possession increase to 30 years, three times the previous maximum.

News29 March 2023

How harsh drug laws undermine health and human rights in Asia Pacific

Compulsory rehabilitation centres for people who use drugs constitute a grave violation of human rights, and must be replaced by voluntary, community-based treatment that provides evidence-informed and human-rights based services.

News8 February 2023

Sri Lankan parliament passes draconian “rehabilitation” law

The bill, which allows people who use drugs to be detained in military-run centres, was passed with 23 votes in favour, of the 225-seat parliament.

Publications8 February 2023

Submission to the UN CESCR on Cambodia - Amnesty International

Amnesty International shines a light on human rights violations committed in the name of drug policy, including in relation to police violence, arbitrary detention and obstacles to harm reduction.

News17 January 2023

Sri Lankan MPs: Reject the Bureau of Rehabilitation Bill

The bill would translate into increasing human rights abuses in the name of drug control, including through the involvement of the military in treatment and the expansion of compulsory detention.

News18 October 2022

Sri Lanka: Draft ‘rehabilitation’ law would spur abuse

The bill would give authorities sweeping powers to arbitrarily detain and torture people who use drugs and almost anyone else.

News10 October 2022

South Africa: Criminalising children for cannabis use unconstitutional – ConCourt

The case and ruling were triggered after four children were set to undergo a compulsory residential diversion programme following a school-sanctioned drug test.

Publications6 October 2022

Increased risk of death immediately after discharge from compulsory care for substance abuse

Ledberg and Reitan document a very high risk of death immediately after discharge from compulsory care.

Publications6 July 2022

Compulsory drug treatment and rehabilitation, health, and human rights

This collection of papers on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the 'UN Joint Statement on Compulsory Drug Detention and Rehabilitation Centres' offers pathways for concerted action to achieve health and human rights for all people whose lives involve drugs.

News7 June 2022

Singapore: “We were like strays” - A life marked by drugs, incarceration, and the death penalty

Punitive interventions, including under the guise of health, are posited as deterrents but actually intensify exclusion and worsen life outcomes.

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