UNGASS outcomes, opportunities, challenges, & looking forward to 2019

Transcription

1 UNGASS outcomes, opportunities, challenges, & looking forward to 2019 Ann Fordham, Executive Director Post-UNGASS Briefing Ministry of Health, Olso 24 th February 2017

2 The International Drug Policy Consortium A global network of 170+ NGOs from 60+ countries Promoting the voice of NGOs in drug policy debates and facilitating their participation at key meetings Promoting drug policies grounded in evidence, health, human rights, development, social inclusion, human security and civil society participation

3 Structure of presentation Background to the UNGASS & the global drug policy context Our expectations of the UNGASS (IDPC UNGASS asks ) Taking stock of the UNGASS outcomes Looking forward to 2019/2020 & current state of play The role of civil society

4 Requested by the Presidents of Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia to give the issue urgency Supported by 95 UN member states More and more calls for drug policy reform

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6 revising the approach on drugs maintained so far by the international community can no longer be postponed "conduct an in depth review, analyzing all available options, including regulatory or market measures, in order to establish a new paradigm that would impede the flow of resources to organized crime groups Colombia at the UN General Assembly, 2012 (Source:

7 An opportunity. I urge Member States to use these opportunities to conduct a wideranging and open debate that considers all options. 26 th June 2013

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10 Public health million people used illicit drugs million people inject drugs 13.5% living with HIV & 50%+ Hep C Lack of access to harm reduction measures Lack of access to controlled medicines for millions of people Human rights Use of the death penalty Extra judicial killings Disproportionate sentences Compulsory detention as treatment Police brutality Violations of the cultural and traditional rights of indigenous groups Severely underfunded health response Widespread violence and insecurity

11 1 in 5 people sentenced to prison globally is for a drug offence 80% for possession alone

12 A fractured consensus.

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14 Armenia Australia (state level) Belgium Brazil Chile Colombia Czech Republic Estonia Germany Italy Mexico The Netherlands (de facto) Paraguay Peru Poland Portugal Spain Uruguay United States (state level)

15 Decriminalisation in Latin America

16 Decriminalisation in Europe Possession for personal use Criminal offence Only cannabis decriminalised De facto decriminalised De jure decriminalised Based on available EMCCDA data

17 Denunciation & re-adherence with reservation Integrity of the treaty system challenged Reconciliation drug control & human rights

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20 Canada

21 Goals for the UNGASS 1. Ensure an open and inclusive debate 2. Re-set the objectives of drug policies 3. Support new approaches 4. End the criminalisation of affected populations Ensure proportionality End the death penalty 5. Commit to harm reduction

22 An open and inclusive debate? Progressive contributions from 15 UN agencies Involvement of civil society (CSTF as coordinator, but huge momentum for CS cooperation and visibility) Informal Interactive Stakeholder Consultation Many member states called for reform and debate Civil society interventions were the highlights of the UNGASS Outcome Document negotiated behind closed doors Vienna dominated over New York Not an honest assessment of the failures (at least in the Document) CS participation at meeting itself was undermined

23 Resetting the objectives of drug policy? Outcome Document welcomes and highlights the SDGs Specific mention of the target to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 Shift from three pillars to seven themes including access to medicines, human rights and development 6 countries explicitly calling for new objectives and indicators (Benin, Brazil, Colombia, Ghana, Slovenia, Thailand) Reaffirmation of a society free of drug abuse Proposal for new indicators was removed Very few measurable targets

24 Promoting new approaches? A number of member states called for reform 18 calling for shift in paradigm 22 calling for decriminalisation 9 calling for regulation No acknowledgement in outcome document of the lack of progress No mention of cannabis policies or need to review tensions with the conventions 24 countries/regional groups still calling for a war on drugs approach, 18 calling for a drug-free world

25 Ending criminalisation? Progressive contributions from 15 UN agencies (including OHCHR, UN Women, UNDP, etc.) Outcome document calls for alternative or additional measures with regard to conviction or punishment Calls for less punitive approach in country statements (22 supported decriminalisation, 17 for proportionate sentences, 61 against the death penalty) Acknowledgement of the need for a gender perspective (mostly Europe and Latin America but also some African & Asian states) First references to proportionality of sentencing No specific mention of decriminalisation in the outcome document No mention of the need to abolish the use of the death penalty Country statements show clear lack of consensus

26 Recognition of harm reduction? Outcome Document was best yet for Vienna, with hard-fought wins on naloxone, NSP and OST Unanimous support from UN agencies Positive country statements from over 30 countries/regional groups, 2 countries against No consensus on the term harm reduction Regression for a General Assembly statement No acknowledgement of missed 2015 targets No call for redirected funding

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28 Diplomacy or denialism? Mixed feelings after UNGASS Outcome Document was disappointing, but important progress made on health, human rights, gender and development Country statements clearly show the fractured consensus Civil society voice was strong, diverse, momentum is growing Important basis for working towards 2019 e.g. 7 themes

29 What next? The road towards 2019 Embedding the UNGASS 7 themes & ensuring implementation Give prominence to health, human rights and development 2019: Review of the 2009 Political Declaration and Action Plan genuine evaluation? New metrics and indicators for measuring drug policy impact & human rights compliance?

30 Fragmentation? Reform? Policy Pluralism

31 If you know of any addicts, go ahead and kill them yourself as getting their parents to do it would be too painful. President Duterte, Philippines

32 The role of civil society Develop a theory of change Engage constructively in the debate allies & targets Become experts be a resource to government Ensure that those who are most affected are meaningfully engaged Form coalitions and networks mobilise others Identify the best messengers (non-usual suspects) Join the campaigns!

33 Thank you!