Human rights

Publications3 March 2026

The Human Rights Council asserts its role in drug policy

IDPC considers Resolution 60/26 a landmark affirmation of the Council’s authority to address the human rights implications of drug policy, strengthening the role of the UN human rights system and reinforcing calls for health-, rights- and evidence-based drug policies globally.

Publications24 February 2026

Shrinking civic space and marginalized populations in Eastern Europe & Central Asia

EHRA and partners analyse how shrinking civic space and punitive legal frameworks are undermining community-led HIV and TB responses in the region, directly impacting LGBTQI+ people, people who use drugs, sex workers, and people living with HIV.

Events

CND 69 and drug policy reform: Unpacking key implications

Online

31 March 2026

Join us for a webinar reflecting on key developments from this year’s CND session and their implications for the future of global drug policy reform.

News16 February 2026

Call for inputs: OHCHR report on the impact of drug policies on the rights of women and girls

The report will address human rights challenges and gender-responsive approaches in law and practice, and contributions are received by 31 March.

News12 February 2026

South Africa: Crime, cartels and corruption — The drug policy debate we refuse to have

Punitive drug laws are fuelling corruption, strengthening illicit markets and misdirecting police resources, while failing to improve community safety.

News12 February 2026

Maldives reintroduces death penalty for drug trafficking amid conservative push before council polls

President Muizzu’s raft of socially conservative measures illustrates how criminal law reforms are used for electoral gain.

News12 February 2026

Why Europe should avoid the trap of repressive drug policy

The European Commission’s proposed 2026–2030 EU Drugs Strategy shifts emphasis toward enforcement and border control, prompting calls to prioritise harm reduction, housing, community-based care and rights-based approaches.

News12 February 2026

Ten years after UNGASS, a resurgent global drug war

Ten years after the 2016 UNGASS, punitive drug policies remain dominant globally, with human rights violations, rising deaths and shrinking civic space undermining promises of reform.

News12 February 2026

Mexico: UN torture prevention experts recognise progress, but urge strengthening of torture prevention measures

UN experts raised serious concerns about implementation gaps, including conditions and coercive practices in drug rehabilitation centres operating without adequate oversight.

IDPC in the Media12 February 2026

Ten years after UNGASS, a resurgent global drug war

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Events

International Chemsex Conference: Optimising support and care for people engaging in chemsex

Antwerp, Belgium

3 March 2026 - 5 March 2026

A transdisciplinary conference examining the complex realities of chemsex and advancing evidence-based, harm reduction and gender-responsive approaches to support and care, grounded in community expertise and human rights.

News12 February 2026

Donor nation cuts to global health financing affect millions

Major donor nations have slashed pledges to the Global Fund, creating a multi-billion-dollar financing gap that threatens to reverse decades of progress and endanger millions of lives.

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