Rights of indigenous people

Publications20 February 2025

Decolonising global health in the Global South by the Global South: Turning the lens inward

Sharma and Sam-Agudu propose a framework to reassess coloniality in Global South public health, tackling harmful behaviours and systemic inequalities while developing new frameworks that elevate neglected knowledge systems.

Events

Understanding the coca leaf review process: A conversation with experts about the cultural and scientific value of the coca plant and the WHO review process

New York, United States / Online

31 January 2025

The event will explore the cultural, scientific, and policy dimensions of the coca WHO review process.

Blog10 December 2024

Human rights and drug policies: Reflecting on a year of successes and frustrations - International Human Rights Day 2024

IDPC marks Human Rights Day 2024 by shining a light on setbacks, key progress and promising avenues to better align drug policies and human rights standards.

News13 November 2024

Coca leaf review: a reckoning for global drug control — IDPC statement at the 2024 CND thematic discussions

IDPC calls on the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) to right a historical wrong by supporting the critical review of the coca leaf and ultimately approve its descheduling.

Publications12 November 2024

'They talk about it like it's an overdose crisis when in fact it's basically genocide' The experiences of Indigenous peoples who use illicit drugs in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside neighbourhood

Lavalley et al. call for responses to Canada's overdose epidemic to centre the ongoing impacts of structural violence, colonialism and poverty that perpetuate inequalities faced by Indigenous communities.

Publications10 November 2024

The Global State of Harm Reduction 2024

Harm Reduction International map out availability of harm reduction services regionally and highlight key issues and populations that remain neglected, including indigenous, incarcerated and young people.

News13 October 2024

Indigenous rights, knowledge and expertise should be centred in coca leaf review - IDPC statement to the 47th WHO ECDD

IDPC calls on WHO's Expert Committee on Drug Dependence (ECDD) to rectify the historical error of the coca leaf scheduling, affirming Indigenous rights, and ensuring their involvement throughout the review process.

Publications1 October 2024

Know your rights: On drug laws for Indigenous people who use drugs

The HIV Legal Network highlight the deep-rooted colonialism and racism underpinning Canada's drug laws, offering Indigenous people who use drugs crucial knowledge about their legal rights and protections.

News23 September 2024

Descheduling the coca leaf is a step toward decolonising drug policy - Statement at HRC57 panel discussion on the rights of Indigenous Peoples

The decision to include the coca leaf in the 1961 Single Convention was mired in colonialist and racist bias.

Publications12 August 2024

A health-based approach to drug harm in Aotearoa

The New Zealand Drug Foundation calls for increased funding for a health-based approach to drug use that emphasises support, legal reform and Māori inclusion.

News14 June 2024

The United Nations calls for the protection of traditional knowledge

A recent UN report stressed protecting Indigenous cultural and medicinal plant use, preventing corporate exploitation, and integrating traditional knowledge into public health policies.

Publications28 May 2024

Drug use, harm reduction and the right to health - Report of the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to health

The UNSR on the right to health explores the importance of harm reduction in relation to both drug use and related norms and policies.

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