Decriminalisation, legal regulation & reform

Decriminalisation

News18 July 2024

Repeal punitive laws against poverty and inequality - Interactive Dialogue with the UNSR extreme poverty and human rights at HRC56

IDPC joins sister organisations in calling for the decriminalisation of activities related to drug use and sex work, as well as the legal regulation of substances, to tackle marginalisation.

Publications8 July 2024

Reforming drug laws to address racial injustice - Submission to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD)

Release, Amnesty International, UNJUST UK, HRI and IDPC shed light on racial disparities in drug policing and associated human rights violations, urging for decriminalisation, the redirection of resources into care systems, and equitable reform.

Events

Philippine drug policy and law reform summit

Manila, the Philippines

10 July 2024

A summit to discuss the state of drug policy in the Philippines and how to better align it with health and human rights goals.

Blog26 June 2024

World Drugs Day 2024: Human rights and harm reduction take centre stage while UN drugs agency grapples with denial

The UN system increasingly questions the validity of the 'drug war', embracing harm reduction and decriminalisation — so why is UNODC stuck in the inertia of the past?

Blog26 June 2024

Support. Don’t Punish campaigners are dismantling the ‘war on drugs’ and building sustainable alternatives that uphold rights and dignity

In transnational solidarity, Support. Don’t Punish campaigners are dismantling the ‘war on drugs’ and building sustainable alternatives that uphold everyone's rights and dignity.

Publications25 June 2024

LGBTQI+ people who use drugs in Thailand: Advocacy for improved health and human rights responses

APCOM and IDPC urge the public, law enforcement, and policymakers in Thailand to help ensure equality and equity for LGBTQ+ people who use drugs, especially in their access to health and social services, and ending stigma and discrimination against them.

Events

Drug policies and responses: a right to health framework on harm reduction - High-level side event

Vienna, Austria

27 June 2024

On the occasion of World Drug Day, the UN SR on the right to health will present her latest report's findings and recommendations.

News24 June 2024

UN expert calls for end to the ‘war on drugs’

UN Special Rapporteur Tlaleng Mofokeng called upon member states to end the war on drugs, as a war on people and a threat to the dignity, health and rights of communities.

News24 June 2024

USA: AMA's House of Delegates says yes to drug decriminalization

The American Medical Association embraces decriminalisation for personal use, rebuking the 'war on drugs' approach in favour of public health and rights -based models.

News17 May 2024

Thailand: Control weed, don't kill it

Prime minister cautioned against rushed decisions on re-criminalisation of cannabis which may constrain people's access to its medical benefits

News15 May 2024

Recriminalization - Episode 45 - Crackdown Podcast

Political expediency and a moral panic have led to a setback that will cost lives, particularly for people who are street-based.

News13 May 2024

Success or failure? Canada's drug decriminalisation test faces scrutiny

Irreparable harm towards drug users anticipated as public sentiment against decriminalisation grows

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