UN human rights bodies & procedures

News11 December 2024

‘War on drugs has failed, completely and utterly’: UN human rights chief

The High Commissioner emphasised the need for a radical shift in approach that prioritises health, dignity and inclusion.

News21 November 2024

Abolish mandatory sentencing and all extreme punitive responses - Joint statement to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention

IDPC co-signs joint statement at the 57th session of the Human Rights Council urging sentencing reform for drug offences, including abolishing the death penalty and mandatory sentences.

News16 October 2024

Global coalition supports resolution on the social reintegration of criminalised people at the 57th session of the Human Rights Council

One hundred twenty NGOs from 49 countries voice support for improving social reintegration support systems for former offenders—a group facing disproportionate risk of overdose and drug-related harm.

Publications4 October 2024

UN CESCR reports reveal drug policy and harm reduction shortcomings in seven countries

Recent UN CESCR observations on a seven countries emphasise the need for rights- and health-based drug policies, including decriminalisation and access to harm reduction.

Publications2 October 2024

Visit to Mexico - Report of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention

The expert group recommended the government abandons the punitive approach to drug use and dealing, and seek alternatives to detention.

Publications24 September 2024

Joint submission to the UN CESCR regarding opioid agonist therapy (OAT) and human rights in Poland

IDPC, EHRA, HRI, and HFHR highlight the challenges facing harm reduction and drug dependence treatment in Poland as well as recommendations for reform.

Publications27 August 2024

Concluding observations on the 24th and 26th periodic reports of the UK - Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

CERD calls attention to the disproportionate impact of the criminal legal system on racialised people and groups, urging the UK to consistently apply anti-discrimination laws and engage in relevant policy reform.

News18 July 2024

Repeal punitive laws against poverty and inequality - Interactive Dialogue with the UNSR extreme poverty and human rights at HRC56

IDPC joins sister organisations in calling for the decriminalisation of activities related to drug use and sex work, as well as the legal regulation of substances, to tackle marginalisation.

Publications8 July 2024

Reforming drug laws to address racial injustice - Submission to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD)

Release, Amnesty International, UNJUST UK, HRI and IDPC shed light on racial disparities in drug policing and associated human rights violations, urging for decriminalisation, the redirection of resources into care systems, and equitable reform.

News27 June 2024

Shift from punitive approach on drug policies towards harm reduction - Statement by UN human rights experts

34 mandate holders from UN human rights bodies and procedures call for decriminalisation and the responsible regulation of all drugs.

News24 June 2024

From criminalisation to harm reduction, health and rights - IDPC statement at the interactive dialogue with the UNSR on the right to health

Stigma, discrimination, criminalisation and racism have had devastating impacts on the right to health of people who use drugs, in particular on people facing multiple and intersecting layers of vulnerability.

Events

Advancing drug policy reform at the local level

Geneva, Switzerland / Online

26 June 2024 - 26 June 2024

For this annual day of recognition, world leaders will come together for an insightful discussion on the role of local governments in catalyzing change that safeguards public health and human rights.

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