INCB calls on member states to abolish the death penalty for drug offences

At the launch of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) annual report on 4 March 2014 in London, INCB President Raymond Yans finally acknowledged the relevance of international human rights principles to the implementation of the UN drug control treaties. Mr. Yans stated that member states are " encouraged to avoid using the death penalty" and "to consider the abolishing of the death penalty for drug-related offences". He explained that the conventions outline examples of measures which could be implemented in response to activities such as drug trafficking, including "alternative measures to punishment for drug-related offences of minor nature." However the death penalty is not mentioned as a possible response measure in the drug control treaties, and in fact, "global United Nations standards and norms in criminal justice...and relevant international conventions on human rights" encourage member states to avoid using the death penalty.

In a clean break with convention, where the INCB had previously refused to support abolition of the death penalty (refer links to articles below), the INCB President has now clarified the Board's position in support of abolition of the death penalty, confirming that he was not simply stating his personal opinion but the position of the INCB: "it's not my words, it's the words of INCB or the Board in its February session".

Click here to listen to the podcast of Mr. Yans' statement and the transcript of his remarks on the INCB's position on the death penalty.

Relevant articles

• Bangkok Post, INCB neutral on capital punishment
• Human Rights Watch, Letter to the International Narcotics Control Board on Capital Punishment for Drug Offences
• Huffington Post, When the UN Won't Condemn Torture You Know Something's Very Wrong

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