Decriminalise, Depenalise says UN Special Rapporteur on the Right of Everyone

The policy analysts at the MildGreen Initiative welcomes today's definitive UN policy statements, and particularly at this time.

Social ecologist and policy reform advocate Blair Anderson said today in Christchurch, "The Special Rapporteur's insight clearly instructs the NZ Law Commission's drug policy review where it is challenged by both preemptive statements from Justice Minister, Hon Simon Power and a signatory status beholden to the failed in both principal and practice, Single Conventions on Narcotics."

"It is the law that has been found wanting, and the Law Commission is honour bound to recommend a rights based solution to resolve tensions wherever they may exist, for the greater good of everyone, everywhere.", says Anderson. "It is especially pleasing to see the Special Rapporteur's clearly enunciated summary of the long held MildGreen hypothesis on Drug Policy." (http://mildgreens.blogspot.com)

"Criminalization and excessive law enforcement practices also undermine health promotion initiatives, perpetuate stigma and increase health risks to which entire populations - not only those who use drugs - may be exposed." - Source: UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health, Report of the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. UN Doc No A/65/255

At a press conference in New York on Tuesday 26 October, at the 65th session of the United Nations General Assembly, one of the UN's key human rights experts will call for a fundamental rethink of international drug policy. Anand Grover, from India, is the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right of Everyone to the Highest Attainable Standard of Physical and Mental Health, whose mandate is derived from the UN Human Rights Council.

http://guatemala-times.com/news/world/1775-un-expert-calls-for-drastic-change-in-global-drug-control-policy.html :

- Repeal or substantially reform laws and policies inhibiting the delivery of essential health services to drug users, and review law enforcement initiatives around drug control to ensure compliance with human rights obligations.
- Amend laws, regulations and policies to increase access to controlled essential medicines. (not just the drugs pseudo ephedrine, methadone, cannabis, ibogaine, lsd, etc , but where they are needed in treatment options, ie: prisons. )
To the UN drug control agencies, Mr Grover recommends the creation of an alternative drug regulatory framework based on a model such as the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. (How about NZ's Ministry of Health administered restricted substances regulations, the UN compliant Class D provisions for 'use of' psychoactive recreational soft drugs? /Blair)
The report is the clearest statement to date from within the UN system about the harms that drug policies have caused and the need for a fundamental shift in drug policy. The report has been welcomed by the European Union in the EU statement on crime and drugs to the UN General Assembly. [http://www.europa-eu-un.org/articles/en/article_10168_en.htm

ENDS

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