Promoting evidence-based drug policies and interventions enshrined in human rights in Europe
Channel: Drugreporter
Date: 2021-04-19

Since the 2016 UNGASS on drugs, much more visibility than ever beforehas been given to the need to ground drug policies and interventionsin human rights principles. Europe has been a leader in this regard,pushing for a strong human rights agenda at both regional andinternational levels. The European Union (EU) has been among thestrongest voices in support of the UNGASS Outcome Document since 2016 and of the UN System Common Position on drug-related matters.The EU recently adopted a new Drugs Strategy for the period 2021-25, which has a human rights focus. The Council of Europe has just adopted a resolution on human rights-focused drug policies, while the Pompidou Group is aiming to give more prominence to human rights within its work. In the meantime, the 45 members of the EU Civil Society Forum on Drugs have promoted the need for drug policiesand interventions grounded in human rights at national, regional andglobal levels. This side event will be an opportunity to discuss thesedevelopments from a civil society and policy makers’ perspective.

Speakers: 

Marie Nougier, International Drug Policy Consortium, on behalf of the EU Civil Society Forum on Drugs. 
Edith Hofer, European Commission, European Union.
Péter Sárosi, Rights Reporter Foundation, representative of the EU Civil Society Forum on Drugs.
Dr. Joan R. Villalbí, Delegate of the Government for the NationalPlan on Drugs, Ministry of Health, Spain.
Hannah Bardell, Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Rapporteur for the report on "Human rights and drug policiesin Europe : a baseline reference”.
Chair Moderator: Oriol Esculies, International Commissioner of Association Proyecto Hombre.

Recorded on Thursday 15th April 2021. 9:00 - 9:50 a.m. (CET)
at the 64th session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs