PRI convenes event at UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs on women and drug policies – implementation of the UN Bangkok Rules

2020 marks ten years since the UN Bangkok Rules on women prisoners and non-custodial measures for women were adopted by the UN General Assembly, which called for alternatives to imprisonment for the case of women, particularly for minor offences. Yet, drug policies continue to disproportionately impact women and female prison populations continue to rise in many countries, including for minor drug-related offences.

Penal Reform International and a panel of experts will discuss key issues on women and drug policies and share new research and good practice at the United Nations 63rd Commission on Narcotic Drugs which takes place from 2 to 6 March 2020 in Vienna.

The side-event will take place on 3 March 2020 from 8.00 to 8.50 a.m. in Room M 6.

Download the event flyer and programme.

PRI’s Director of Policy and International Advocacy, Olivia Rope, will launch new research undertaken by Linklaters LLP for PRI, as published in Sentencing of women for drug-related offences – co- published by PRI, Linklaters LLP and the International Drug Policy Consortium.

Other speakers will include Canada for opening remarks; Luciana Pol, Senior Fellow Security, Policy and Human Rights, at the Centre de Estudios Legales y Sociales; Leigh Toomey, Vice Chair of the UN Working Group of Arbitrary Detention; Valérie Lebaux, Chief, Justice Section at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and Marie Nougier from the International Drug Policy Consortium will moderate the event.

Co-sponsorship by:

This event is supported by: The Permanent Mission of Canada to the UN, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the International Drug Policy Consortium, the Thailand Institute of Justice, Women Harm Reduction International Network, the Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales, the Washington Office on Latin America, the Permanent Mission of Thailand to the UN, the West Africa Commission on Drugs and Linklaters LLP.