Event: Practical measures for the prohibition of arbitrary detention in drug control

Side event at the 65th session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, organised by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights with the support of Canada, Ghana, Switzerland, United Kingdom, European Union, National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria, Commission of Human Rights of the Philippines, Global Commission on Drug Policy, Harm Reduction International, International Drug Policy Consortium, Penal Reform International, International Network of People Who Use Drugs, International Centre for Human Rights and Drug Policy, UNAIDS, World Health Organization, and Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.

In 2021, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) presented a breakthrough study laying down a series of practical recommendations to align drug control measures with the prohibition of arbitrary detention.

On 17 March, this side event brought together human rights experts, national human rights institutions, civil society and government representatives to discuss the recommendations provided in the WGAD study, and how to best implement them.

Speakers

Moderator: Ann Fordham, Executive Director, International Drug Policy Consortium

• Opening remarks: Helen Clark, Chair, Global Commission on Drug Policy
• The study on arbitrary detention and drug policies: Elina Steinerte, Chair, Working Group on Arbitrary Detention
• Communities affected by arbitrary detention in drug control: Kenya Cuevas, Founder, Casa Hogar Paola Buenrostro, Mexico
• Arbitrary detention, drug policy and the right to health: Seree Nonthasoot, Member, Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
• UN Common Position on Incarceration and its relevance to drug policy: Philipp Meissner, Justice Section, UNODC
• Closing remarks: Ambassador Stephen Klement, EU Permanent Representative to the UN in Vienna
• Interactive Dialogue