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.
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.
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.
In response to Nigeria's proposal of the death penalty for drug-related offences, civil society demand reform instead, urging harm reduction and support for effective drug policies.
HRI highlight that the global movement for abolition of the death penalty continues to gain ground, yet progress related to drug offences specifically remains a persistent fight.
Various human rights groups call out Singapore's arbitrary expedition of cases and invoke the state's duty to protect rights of those facing death penalty.
HRI highlight the continued violation of international human rights standards, reporting a record number of drug-related executions despite some positive policy developments.
Son-in-law of former dictator and genocide instigator Prabowo Subianto poised to be sworn in as president, creating fears of another bloody drug war in Indonesia
Despite increasing incarceration of women, and women disproportionately imprisoned for drug-related offences, the stories and experiences of women sentenced to death for drug offences are mostly unheard.
High Commissioner Volker Türk encouraged more countries to begin their journey toward understanding drug use as a public health and human rights issue, including through the adoption of decriminalisation.
