Death penalty

News7 April 2025

An effective and humane approach to drug policies

Human rights experts from the UN and civil society call for a shift from punitive drug policies to health- and rights-based approaches.

Publications7 April 2025

The death penalty for drug offences: Global overview 2024

HRI discusses a worrying increase in the use of the death penalty for drug offences, noting significant knowledge gaps and analysing progress in moving past it.

Publications28 February 2025

Annual report on the death penalty in Iran 2024

IHRNGO and ECPM notes a significant increase in drug-related executions, disproportionately impacting marginalised communities, and calls on the UN and wider international community to act.

Publications12 February 2025

Human Rights Watch: World Report 2025

HRW denounces human rights violations, including in relation to drug policy ranging from punitive laws to extrajudicial executions, and demands truth and justice.

News12 December 2024

End executions, embrace regional progress - IDPC joins 26 NGOs urging Singapore to abandon the death penalty

Executions for drug offences undermine human rights and regional cooperationon illegal drug trafficking.

News21 November 2024

Abolish mandatory sentencing and all extreme punitive responses - Joint statement to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention

IDPC co-signs joint statement at the 57th session of the Human Rights Council urging sentencing reform for drug offences, including abolishing the death penalty and mandatory sentences.

News21 November 2024

Death penalty: Enact an immediate moratorium toward abolition - Joint statement to the UN Secretary-General

IDPC co-signs joint statement at the General Debate with the UN Secretary-General, advocating for an end to the death penalty for drug offences.

Publications3 November 2024

57th Human Rights Council: Drug policy highlights

HRI spotlights key concerns from the 57th Human Rights Council, including rising drug-related executions, human rights violations in Sri Lanka, and racial disparities in criminal justice.

Publications1 October 2024

Diversion or death? The moral framework shaping bifurcated punishments for drug offences in Indonesia

Hoyle and Harry discuss how frameworks of morality, compassion and traditionalism shape criminal justice outcomes and punitive responses, informing efforts to challenge harsh penal policy and capital punishment in the region.

News5 August 2024

Death penalty bill: DHRAN pushes for reform in Nigeria’s drug laws at National dialogue

Discussions focused on proposals to impose the death penalty on people involved in drug supply, harm reduction strategies, and the need for drug policy reform.

Blog13 June 2024

Thailand risks reversing successful reforms, repeating drug policy failures

Prime Minister Sretta Thavisin's declarations in favour of increased punitive measures for drug use and related activities echo Thailand's catastrophic "war on drugs" in 2003, despite international recommendations for balanced, rights-based strategies.

News13 June 2024

Condemning Nigeria's amendment of the NDLEA act: A violation of human rights and failed drug policy

Demands for repeal are sparked from civil society as Nigeria introduces the death penalty for drug offences, the step backwards has provoked calls for rights-based policy reform.

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