Human rights

News20 September 2023

134 NGOs sign collective statement urging the international community to act on UN human rights chief's ground-breaking call for systemic drug policy reform

Over 100 civil society groups worldwide urge the international community to listen to the UN Human Rights Chief's call for reforming global drug control regime and national drug laws.

Blog20 September 2023

UN High Commissioner for Human rights calls for transformative change in drug policy in ambitious new report

Ann Fordham (IDPC Executive Director) analyses the key takeaways and significance of the OHCHR's latest report, noting how its call for transformative change includes an unprecedented recommendation to consider the responsible regulation of illegal drug markets.

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.

Events

Special event: Human rights challenges in addressing and countering all aspects of the world drug problem

Geneva, Switzerland

20 September 2023

The Panel will provide a platform for international human rights experts, representatives of State and civil society organisations to discuss findings and recommendations of the latest OHCHR report on the human rights impacts of drug policies.

News12 September 2023

Uganda: New Narcotics Bill risks exacerbating 'drug-addiction issue'

The impending legislation further criminalises drug use in Uganda, alienating people who use drugs from crucial health and harm reduction services and posing a serious risk to their wellbeing.

Events

International Campaign for the Elimination of Violence against Women who Use Drugs (EVAWUD) 2023

25 November 2023 - 10 December 2023

WHRIN present their 2023 EVAWUD Campaign Toolkit, including information on small grant applications and links to the press release and poster.

Publications12 September 2023

Human rights challenges in addressing and countering all aspects of the world drug problem - Report of the OHCHR

OHCHR present their report to the Human Rights Council on the impact of the world drug problem on human rights, urging policymakers to shift towards a health and human-rights centred approach to drug policy.

News12 September 2023

The push to legalise psychedelics has ignored Indigenous communities

While the legalisation of psychedelics is a positive step toward global drug policy reform, it must not be at the expense of Indigenous communities, who have used psychoactive plants for emotional, physical, and spiritual healing for centuries.

Events

2023 National Symposium on Drugs and Drug Policy in Nigeria

Uyo, Nigeria

30 August 2023 - 31 August 2023

The theme for the 6th National Symposium is 'Community-based Approaches to Substance Use Interventions: Best Practices and Innovative Programmes'.

Events

'Aid for the war on drugs' - Report launch

Online

12 September 2023

HRI launch their new report which looks at how wealthy governments are using international aid to fund the global war on drugs.

News21 August 2023

Confronting the drug war: Roundtable series

Harm reduction activists and researchers take part in a multi-part series to deconstruct the disease model of addiction, discuss alternate ways of thinking about drug use and present ways to reform current prohibitionist drug policies.

News15 August 2023

Human rights groups urge Singapore to ditch the death penalty

Following the the first known execution of a woman in two decades in Singapore and a string of recent executions for drug-related offences, Helen Clark, former New Zealand Prime Minister condemns the use of the death penalty in all cases and under any circumstances.

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