The role of civil society in the international debate on drug policies. Raminta Stuikyte

Transcription

1 The role of civil society in the international debate on drug policies Raminta Stuikyte

2 Why civil society involvement?

3 Civil society engagement at international level- background

4 Civil society engagement with the UN NGOs can receive a consultative status from ECOSOC for more systemic engagement with the UN. The procedure, criteria, rights and requirements for NGOs are established by ECOSOC Resolution 1996/31.

5 Conventions on drugs Nothing on civil society or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) Exception: Single Convention 1961 (Article 13) INCB can use information from international non- governmental organizations which have direct competence in the subject matter and which are in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) to determine whether state or territory does not fail execution of provisions of the Convention

6 UN declarations on drug control start recognizing civil society role in late 1980s We [..] recognize and welcome the significant role played by nongovernment organizations in the drive against drug abuse, and urge that further initiatives be encouraged to strengthen the efforts made at national as well as international levels. (Declaration of the International Conference on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 1987) the Action against the world drug problems is a common and shared responsibility requiring an integrated and balanced approach that involved civil society including NGOs (UNGASS 1998)

7 NGO process Beyond 2008 Leading to High-Level Segment of CND 2009 >500 groups from 116 countries in 13 regional consultations in 9 regions and global consultation Three topics: NGO contribution, NGO involvement & high-level principles of drug control On NGO involvement: there are no systematic mechanisms available to consult with NGOs or with civil society generally to assist the CND or UNODC in developing their policy and programs Several recommendations towards member states, CND and UNODC on mapping, sharing good practices and supporting involvement of civil society in services and in policies Beyond 2008, Resolution on Objective 2, adopted on 9 July 2008 BEYOND 2008 We, participants in the Beyond 2008 International representing the culmination of thirteen consultatio 500 NGOs from 116 countries and 65 international N Acknowledge the long history of the Vienna Non-Gov Drugs (VNGOC) and its work to bring NGO contributi Note that NGOs are often the main providers of esta drugs or misuse licit drugs and can thus be uniquely individuals, families and communities impacted by d the development and implementation of more effec Acknowledge the human rights abuses against peopl encourage Member States, the United Nations Offic organisations to solicit the participation of all affecte responding to these human rights abuses, to illicit/h economic consequences, Acknowledge that young people represent a significa indirectly by illicit/harmful drug use and drug policy, engaged in the formation and evaluation of all facets Recall the Political Declaration, the Guiding Principle Enhance International Cooperation to Counter the W General Assembly at its twentieth special session (U problems together,

8 2009 HL Segment of CND: still debate about civil society speakers at round tables of; civil society session attended by few participants but Beyond 2018 conclusions delivered at the plenary Drug control is too important to be left to governments alone former UNODC Executive Director, 2008 Some government representatives present at the civil society hearing More NGOs present - filming, protesting etc. In 2014, the UNODC s HIV/health section organized an expert group with a range of international and regional NGOs to consult on UNODC policy

9 Civil society engagement in UNGASS 2016

10 CSTF - Civil Society Task Force For the first time, for UNGASS on Drugs Balanced composition: 26 members of representatives from every region and key affected groups The approach launched after consultation with Deputy Secretary- General and NGOs in Nov and the group started work in Mar. 2015

11 Mission: To serve as the official liaison between the UN and civil society in the preparation of and at the UNGASS Activities: Global online survey Regional consultations Civil society hearing and participation at the 58 th session of CND Informal interactive stakeholder consultation on 10 Feb Selection of NGO speakers and participants for UNGASS event Organized: Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs, New York NGO Committee on Drugs,

12 High number of other consultations with civil society participation Western Africa East Africa ASEAN European Union Organization of American States etc.

13 IDPC International Drug Policy Consortium A global network of 140+ NGOs Promoting drug policy debates and NGO participation Promoting drug policies based on evidence, health, human rights and development

14 One of the best informed public resource on global and regional processes Shares/blogs information from all major global events: Participates in all CND intersessionals and sessions and other preparatory processes for UNGASS Provides training tools/resources/agreed UN language Lobbies governments for inclusion of advanced language around the following asks

15 Informal Interactive Stakeholder Consultation Brought voices from NGOs including grassroots from diverse countries and global organisations (Uganda, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Russia, Colombia, Chile, the US, Pakistan, Kenya, Canada..) and diverse backgrounds High level representation of UN structures: Secretary-General, President of GA, UNGASS Chair, UNODC Executive Director Some 20 member states including some that repeated their commitment to involvement of civil society (Mexico, the EU, Benin etc.) Detailed notes:

16 Civil society at the UNGASS event GA resolution 70/181 of 17 December 2015 Participation: Representatives of NGOs in consultative status with ECOSOC are invited to participation in the special session and representatives of civil society and the scientific community, academia, youth groups and other relevant stakeholders may participate in the special session, in accordance with the rules of procedure and established practice of the General Assembly Speaker roles: 11 NGO speakers will be selected: 6 for the plenary and 5- one for each of the interactive round tables. Their selection is made by the Office of the President of the General Assembly, in collaboration with the Civil Society Task Force (CSTF) for UNGASS 2016

17 What is civil society asking? A range of recommendations from the consultations conducted by civil society task force, Informal Stakeholder Hearing 40 submissions on /contribution_ngos.html Great diversity and not on all things there is agreement (status quo vs regulation of cannabis) but big asks that are often overlooked

18 Civil society asks that remain marginalized Getting real Ensure an open and inclusive debate Reset the objectives of drug policies Support new approaches Evaluation & evidence-based Human rights End the criminalisation of drug users Ensure proportionate penalties End the death penalty Balanced approach with more emphasis on health and social issues Redirect funds towards health and harm reduction Ensure access to essential medicines Civil society engagement

19 Harm reduction The HIV target of halving HIV infections among people who inject drugs by 2015 missed Highly underfunded: only $160 million per year this is only 7% of what is needed Further crisis is emerging due to so called middle-income country challenge: donors leave middle-income countries, while governments do not take over funding for services for marginalized groups

20 Achievements so far CSTF and process are nearly fully accomplished as planned Support from UN and certain member states Meaningful participation of NGOs at the 58 th CND session Informal Stakeholder Hearing brought real grass-root levels UNGASS event NGO representatives will be present & speak Interesting submissions and more work on participating in developing government positions Significantly more publicity and debates around drug policy in preparation for UNGASS

21 Challenges Most asks remain not included in the draft UNGASS outcome document Even UN agency contribution is largely ignored Achieving the involvement takes significant efforts (more than in the field of HIV/AIDs), at the same time funding for CSTF is limited How much the efforts change the local and national involvement and drug policy paradigm

22 How civil society helps reshape policy debates

23 How civil society helps reshape policy debates Uruguay: Youth human rights organization ProDerechos, assisted with international civil society experts, successfully campaigned for removal of criminal penalties and agreement by president to legislate and provide cannabis.

24 Georgia: Civil society protests and actions lead to government commitment to provide Hepatitis C treatment in prison, release of half Georgian prisoners through amnesty, and eventually, government commitment to HCV treatment outside prison.

25 Vietnam: work with Department of Social Evils Prevention under Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs on the one hand, and "outside" criticism by human rights organizations about forced labor on the other, lead to explicit government commitment to piloting other, community based and voluntary treatment model, court process for those forcibly interned, and large reductions of those in forced labor camps (so called 09 centers) on the basis of positive urine test. Human Rights Watch photo, 2011

26 Recommendations from Beyond 2008 Call upon the CND to: a) review consulting mechanisms which have been developed by other UN entities and establish mechanisms for both ongoing and recurring civil society participation, including affected and stigmatized populations, at the CND, including participation in plenary discussion and thematic debate to stimulate informed discussion and proposals for collective action, b) commission a review of the level of engagement and expenditure attributed to NGO activity by other UN entities and consider and approve proposals arising from such a review which can enhance the involvement and contribution of NGOs and further develop the role of the UNODC Civil Affairs economic consequences, Office. BEYOND We, participants in the Beyond 2008 Interna representing the culmination of thirteen consu 500 NGOs from 116 countries and 65 internati Acknowledge the long history of the Vienna No Drugs (VNGOC) and its work to bring NGO con Note that NGOs are often the main providers o drugs or misuse licit drugs and can thus be uni individuals, families and communities impacte the development and implementation of more Acknowledge the human rights abuses against encourage Member States, the United Nations organisations to solicit the participation of all a responding to these human rights abuses, to il Acknowledge that young people represent a si indirectly by illicit/harmful drug use and drug p engaged in the formation and evaluation of all Recall the Political Declaration, the Guiding Pri Enhance International Cooperation to Counter General Assembly at its twentieth special sess

27 Call upon Member States: a) to establish and support transparent and systematic mechanisms for engagement and consultation at a national level, including NGOs and those most affected by illicit/harmful drug use and drug policy, when developing policy, strategy and practice guidelines, b) to implement national policies and legislation that are supportive of civil society gatherings and discussions, remove barriers to the freedom of association and freedom of expression of those most affected by illicit/harmful drug use and drug policy and request that adequate time, space and resources are provided for such consultations, c) to support NGOs and seek their contributions on a more systematic basis by including them in matters related to the work of CND when appropriate, d) to encourage and support youth groups/initiatives aimed at reducing illicit/harmful drug use and its health, economic and social consequences, e) and regional groups to create or use existing international funding mechanisms, similar to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, to stimulate adequate investment in sustainable, evidence based and/or effective services to reduce illicit/harmful drug use and its adverse health, social and economic consequences.

28 How to engage and support NGOs in UNGASS Follow the debate NGOs to join the VNGOC / NYNGOC Raise awareness, build alliances at national/regional level Consult governments & NGOs on the country s position NGOs to register for attendance and speaking roles by Mar. 28 Include NGOs in official delegations and fund their participation Make submissions to

29 Implementing the 2030 agenda of sustainable development will require the bold and courageous assistance of civil society. This applies equally to addressing the world drug problem. Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General 10 Feb 2016