Human rights

News17 September 2026

Human rights challenges in addressing and countering all aspects of the world drug problem, in particular on the impact of drug policies on the rights of women and girls

The OHCHR highlights how punitive approaches expose women and girls to disproportionate incarceration, violence, discrimination and barriers to services, and urges states to adopt a rights-based and gender-responsive perspective, including decriminalisation and responsible regulation.

Publications14 September 2026

Ghana National Dialogue on drug policy, human rights and health: Advancing from law to implementation

The report summarises the Dialogue's discussions, highlighting progress and implementation gaps under Act 1019 as well as priorities for strengthening harm reduction, treatment, human rights and public health responses.

Publications14 September 2026

Making children and young people visible in drug policy: A child rights-based agenda for reform

The Global Commission on Drug Policy calls for a child rights-based overhaul of drug policy, urging governments to move away from punitive approaches and ensure access to health services, essential controlled medicines, harm reduction and safeguards.

News10 September 2026

CND Expert Panel invites contributions to independent review of UN drug policy

Civil society, communities and other stakeholders are invited to submit evidence, experiences and recommendations to the CND Expert Panel, as it considers the future of the UN drug control system ahead of the 2029 high-level review.

Events

Geneva course on drug policy, public health, and diplomacy 2026 [POSTPONED]

Geneva, Switzerland / Online

19 October 2026 - 22 October 2026

The University of Geneva organises a three-day course, in person and online, on the international drug control regime and its consequences for public health and human rights, with a limited number of full scholarships.

News9 September 2026

United States: Louise Vincent’s legacy and the future of drug user organising

One year after Louise Vincent’s death, the drug user movement she helped build is reckoning with the loss of a visionary organiser who championed harm reduction, human rights and the collective power of people who use drugs.

Blog8 September 2026

Celebrating Martin Jelsma’s contribution to the drug policy reform movement

After more than three decades at the forefront of drug policy reform, Martin Jelsma retires from TNI, leaving an extraordinary legacy of advancing human rights, social justice and more humane approaches to drugs.

Publications7 September 2026

Essential medicines, unequal access — Joint submission to the OHCHR

HRI, IDPC and EHRA highlight the barriers faced by people who use drugs in accessing essential medicines and harm reduction services, calling on states to reform drug policies and invest in the harm reduction response.

Publications2 September 2026

IDPC Progress Report 2025-2026

IDPC reflects on two decades of collective action and a year of resilience, highlighting advances in human rights, international drug policy reform and grassroots mobilisation, despite political backlash, shrinking civic space and funding cuts.

Events

63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council

Geneva, Switzerland

7 September 2026 - 7 October 2026

The 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council provides an important forum for advancing human rights worldwide, including in relation to drug policies and their impacts on affected communities.

News2 September 2026

United States: UN experts demand end to unlawful killings at sea, as one-year death toll hits 223

UN experts condemn US military strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels, stressing that enforcement responses to trafficking are governed by human rights law.

Events

The U.S. 'war on drugs' meets the 'war on terror': Lawless killings overseas while communities suffer at home

New York City, United States

2 September 2026

As the US intensifies its militarised approach to drug policy in the name of 'narcoterrorism', the Drug Policy Alliance and the Center for Constitutional Rights discuss how this framing legitimises state violence and undermines human rights.

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