Open Letter supporting COE Commissioner’s Commentary on Human Rights of Sex Workers | Joint Statement

On 15/02/2024 the outgoing Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović published her Comment on Protecting the Human Rights of Sex Workers.

The undersigned organisations warmly welcome the Comment as a timely & important step forward in recognising the human rights of all sex workers.

The undersigned organisations are leading civil society networks & human rights organisations with a range of expertise that allows us to address issues affecting the rights of sx workers through an intersectional lens.

We thank Dunja Mijatović for this great farewell gift & look forward to cooperating with the new mandate holder!

Drug Policy Manifesto for the 2024 European Parliament Elections

For a drug policy that makes Europe safer, healthier, and more just

Despite billions spent in drug control, European drug policies have failed to protect the health and safety of our communities.

Drug use is reaching historical records. New substances are entering the EU market every year. War-on-drugs policies have been unable to stop the growing power of organised crime. Evidence shows that prevention, treatment, and harm reduction are necessary to save lives and protect our communities, but services for people who use drugs lack resources and political support.

The 2024 European elections must bring a paradigm shift. This manifesto lays down a vision for a pragmatic, innovative, and human rights-centred European drug policy that will deliver healthier and safer communities. We invite all European civil society organizations, parties, and candidates to endorse the following calls to action.

Together, we will build a drug policy that prepares Europe for the future.

#FutureDrugPolicyEU24

Open To Everyone, Initiated by Correlation – European Harm Reduction Network, NEWNet Enjoying Safer Nightlife.

 

SIGN AND DOWNLOAD THE MANIFESTO

Also in 🇫🇷, 🇨🇿, 🇮🇹, 🇪🇸, 🇩🇪, 🇭🇺, 🇷🇴, 🇱🇹, 🇪🇪, 🇲🇪.

 

The Principle of the Drug Policy Manifesto:

Ramp up investment in health and social care

Drug use in Europe is at record levels, and the growing presence of new psychoactive substances, including synthetic opioids, has raised the alarm. Law enforcement and drug control will not stop this new threat, just as they have failed in other regions of the world. To be prepared for the future, the EU institutions must prioritise support and funding for integrated health and care services that are proven to work. A focus on services that support, rather than punish, people who use drugs is necessary to save lives and keep communities safe.

EU drug policy must be rebalanced, ending the current prioritisation of law enforcement over health. The EU institutions must ramp up investment and support for selective and indicated prevention programmes, evidence-informed voluntary treatment, life-saving harm reduction (including HIV/AIDS and HCV prevention, opioid assisted treatment, take-home naloxone, drug checking services, and drug consumption rooms), and community-based and community-led services that can reach out to everyone in need.

Abandon war-on-drugs policies

It is time to abandon war-on-drugs policies that, despite costing billions, have failed to reduce the size of illegal drug markets, to curb the power of organised crime or to reduce violence. Policies and narratives that stigmatise and blame people who use drugs and marginalised communities must be replaced with interventions grounded in evidence, inclusion, and human rights.

To ensure an integrated, holistic, and intersectional approach to drugs, EU health bodies must have a pivotal role in shaping EU drug policy. Drug policy must be mainstreamed across social, health and economic policies, and not be left at the hands of law enforcement alone.

The EU institutions must mainstream an inclusive, human rights and gender-based approach to drugs, including an unequivocal support for the decriminalisation of people who use drugs as a measure to remove stigma and improve access to services.

The new EU Drugs Agency must create indicators that monitor the effectiveness and impact of current drug policy approaches such as crime prevention and demand and harm reduction, including on stigma, access to services, and human rights, and conduct more policy-oriented research. EU bodies mandated to uphold human rights, EU values and the rule of law must also be involved.

Ensure civil society and community participation

A safer and more effective drug policy requires the involvement of civil society organizations that work every day with communities, can reach out to vulnerable populations, and are best informed of new trends in drug markets. EU drug policy must reflect the principle ‘nothing about us without us’, involving first and foremost affected communities and people who use drugs.

Mechanisms for civil society participation in EU drug policy, including the Civil Society Forum on Drugs in the EU, should be appropriately funded, supported, and meaningfully consulted by the European Commission, the EU Drugs Agency, and all relevant EU institutions. They should include representatives of affected communities, including people who use drugs, young people, women, and those disproportionately affected by criminalisation, stigma, and discrimination.

Explore innovative approaches, including responsible regulation

A pragmatic drug policy requires exploring innovative approaches to drug markets, including the responsible regulation of drugs such as cannabis, as a key measure to protect the health and human rights of communities, and reduce the power of organized crime. The EU should facilitate these innovations, and monitor their impact on health, safety, and human rights.

European policy makers must ensure that European laws and policies facilitate the adoption of innovative approaches to drug markets, including responsible regulation. The EU Drugs Agency should monitor the impact of drug policies and regulation, to allow for evidence-informed policy making. This will support mutual learning, increase uptake of best practices, contribute to pragmatic solutions, and prepare Europe for the future.

Already signed by…

Politicians & Decision-Makers

BELGIUM:
Bart Staes (MEP, Flemish Greens – Groen)

Saskia Bricmont (MEP, Ecolo / Greens/EFA)

Estelle Ceulemans (MEP candidate, PS – Parti Socialiste)

Matthieu Liessens (MEP candidate, PS – Parti Socialiste)

Yvan Verougstraete (MEP candidate, Les Engagés)

 

FINLAND:
Merja Kyllonen (MEP, Left Alliance)

 

FRANCE:

Alexandre Feltz (Deputy Mayor, Strasbourg)

Dominique Broc (Member of the Mairie de Chenevelles City Council)

 

GERMANY:
Kirsten Kappert-Gonther (Member of national parliament, Bündnis 90/Die Grünen)

 

IRELAND:
Luke Ming Flanagan (MEP, The Left group in the European Parliament)

Graham de Barra (MEP Candidate, Independent)

 

ITALY:

Massimiliano Smeriglio (MEP, Alleanza Verdi e Sinistra)

Luca Boccoli (MEP candidate, Alleanza Verdi e Sinistra)

Giuditta Pini (MEP candidate, Partito Democratico)

Andrea John Dejanaz (MEP candidate, Alleanza Verdi e Sinistra)

Luca Fella Trapanese (Councillor for Social Policies, City of Naples, Italy)    

Jacopo Rosatelli (Councillor for Health and Social Affairs, City of Turin, Italy)

Paolo Ticozzi (Member of the Venice City Council / Partito Democratico, Italy) 

 

LUXEMBOURG:
Clement Sven (Member of National Parliament, Luxembourg)

Daniel Silva (MEP candidate, Volt Luxembourg)

Philippe Schannes (MEP candidate, Volt Luxembourg)

Conny Jaroni (MEP candidate, Greens/EFA & Volt Europa)

 

MALTA:
Sandra Gauci (MEP candidate, ADPD Green Party, Malta)

Civil Society Organisations:

Almost 300 CSOs from the following countries have signed the Manifesto.

AUSTRIA:

Koje | taktisch klug

Students for Sensible Drug Policy International

InnovaDrug

Suchthilfe Wien

 

BELGIUM:
Modus Vivendi

European AIDS Treatment Group

Ex Aequo

Projet Lama centre psycho-médico-social

VAD

ARAS Romanian Association Against AIDS

Médecins du Monde Belgium - Dokters van de Wereld

Smart on Drugs

Free Clinic vzw

Odas Coordination

ASBL SOLAIX

ESPAS

CGG Noord-West-Vlaanderen

CAW de Kempen de Lange Gaank

Fedito wallonne

Gig (Health Promotion in Injecting Drug Use)

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA:
The Chronic Viral Hepatitis Patients Association - B18

 

BRAZIL:

Rede Brasileira De Redução de Danos e Direitos Humanos

Plataforma Brasileira de Política de Drogas

 

BULGARIA:

Dose of Love Association

 

CANADA:
CAPUD - Canadian Network of People Who Use Drugs

Association des intervenants en dépendance du Québec

 

CATALUNYA:
Episteme. Investigació i Intervenció Social

Associacio Canaan-Pla De L'Estany

 

CROATIA:
Alternation Association

Life Quality Improvement Organisation FLIGHT

 

CZECHIA:
Asociace poskytovatelů adiktologických služeb, z.s.

SANANIM z.ú.

PREVENT 99, z.ú.

Kolpingovo dílo České republiky z.s.

Prostor plus, o.p.s.

Centrum sociálních služeb Praha

Association Of Social Care Providers Of Czechia

KOTEC o. p. s.

Středisko křesťanské pomoci Plzeň

Společnost Podané ruce, o.p.s.

Institut for Rational Addiction Policy (IRAP)

ANA, z.ú.

P-centrum, spolek

Kontaktní centrum  - víceúčelová drogová služba

Darmoděj z.ú.

Unie LZZ

Zařízení sociální intervence Kladno

CYPRUS:
RESET - Research and Education in Social Empowerment and Transformation

 

DENMARK:
HealthTeam for the Homeless and Health in Front

Brugernes Akademi

 

ESTONIA:
Estonian Association of People Using Psychotropic Substances "LUNEST"

Lunest

MTÜ Ööhaldjad

 

FINLAND:
Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare

Humaania päihdepolitiikkaa ry

 

FRANCE:
Global commission on drug policy

RdR:RefletsduReel - Asud auto-support usagers de drogues

Fédération Addiction

AIDES

Association GrEID

Association Bus 31/32

ENCOD

ASUD

Sovape

NORML France

Forum Drugs Mediterranean-FAAAT

Techno Plus

CAARUD Lou Passagin

AEP

APSA 30

RdR:RefletsduReel

CSAPA BLANNAVES

Underground

FEDERATION ADDICTION

Association ITHAQUE

CSAPA BLANNAVES

Csapa OPPELIA

Sara Logisol

Nautilus RdR

Techno+

ithaque

Littoral Prévention Initiatives

Act Up Sud-Ouest

Nautilus

Freeparty

Addiction

Keep Smiling

CSAPA Soléa

Psychonaut

PlaySafe Paris, Paris LGBT

Culture Drogues

Psychonaut.fr

Afder.org & Old Timers Recovery un homme

Drogues et Société

L'Amicale RDR

Nouvelle Aube

Groupement Addiction Franche Comté

Health Without Barriers

Collectif Ensemble Limitons les Risques

Les Insoumis

Fédération addiction

SIDA Paroles 78

SOS Addictions

 

GEORGIA:
Eurasian Movement for the Right to Health in Prisons

 

GERMANY:
#MyBrainMyChoice Initiative

Fixpunkt e. V.

Akzept e.V. - Bundesverband für akzeptierende Drogenarbeit und humane Drogenpolitik

Basis - Beratung, Arbeit, Jugend und Kultur e.V.

Jugend und Kulturverein Halle e.V.

SONICS e.V.

Drug Scouts

Chill out e.V.

VIVID e.V.

Akzept e.V.

Audshilfe Dortund e. v.

Palette gGmbH

Integrative Drogenhilfe e.V.

Paritätischer Landesverband Hessen

IDH

BASIS-Projekt, basis&woge e.V.

Integrative Drogenhilfe e.V

Verein für Integration und Suchthilfe e.V.

Deutsche Aidshilfe

Aids Hilfe Frankfurt

 

GREECE:
Steps Non-Profit

PRAKSIS

Steps

PeerNUPS

Positive Voice

Self-organizing Initiatives for People who Use Drugs

 

HUNGARY:

Rights Reporter Foundation

INDIT Közalapítvány Bulisegély Szolgálat

Daath.hu - Hungarian Psychedelic Community

ELTE PPK; Behavioural Research Social Sciences and Services Ltd

Dát 2 Psy Help

Blue Point Drug Outpatient Centre

INDONESIA:
GAMMA Indonesia

 

ICELAND:
Matthildur, harm reduction organization

 

IRELAND:

Citywide Drugs Crisis Campaign

Ana Liffey Drug Project

Help Not Harm

Citywide Drugs Crisis Campaign

Rialto Community Drug Team

UISCE

Walkinstown Greenhills Resource Centre

Daish Project

Ballyfermot Advance Project CLG

Addiction Response Crumlin

Youth Workers Against Prohibition

RADE CLG

Kilbarrack Coast Community Programme

SURIA/Euronpud

 

ITALY:

LILA - Italyn League for Fighting AIDS

Forum Prävention - streetlife.bz

L' Isola di Arran

Forum Droghe

Parsec NGO

Lab57 - Alchemica, Bologna

NADIR ETS

LILA Onlus - Lega Italyna per la Lotta contro l'AIDS

L'isola di Arran ODV

Itanpud

ITANPUD APS

Itanpud

Itanpud

Chemical Sisters

Antigone onlus

CNCA - Coordinamento Nazionale Comunità di Accoglienza

ARCI

CGIL

ITARdD Itałian Harm Reduction Network

Gesco consorzio di cooperative sociali

la Società della Ragione

Substantia

 

LITHUANIA:
Eurasian harm reduction association (EHRA)

Support foundation "RIGRA"

Association of HIV affected women and their families

Support foundation "RIGRA"

Young Wave

NGO "Gilės sodas"

Coalition "I Can Live"

 

LUXEMBOURG:
4motion asbl. / PIPAPO

 

MALTA:
Harm Reduction Malta

Releaf Malta

MONTENEGRO:
NGO Juventas

Crnogorska mreža za smanjenje štete LINK / Montenegrin Harm Reduction Network LINK

 

NETHERLANDS:
Belangenvereniging Druggebruikers MDHG

Mainline

Legalize NL

LEAP NL

De Regenboog Groep

VOC (Union for the abolition of cannabis prohibition)

Harm Reduction Network/Trimbos Institute

 

NORWAY:

Association for Humane Drug Policy

Safer Youth

proLAR Nett

The Norwegian Association for Humane Drug Policy

 

POLAND:
PREKURSOR Foundation for Social Policy

Youth Organisations for Drug Action

 

PORTUGAL:
Médicos do Mundo

CASO

Kosmicare

MANAS/ GAT Portugal/ EuroNPUD

Associação Existências

Associação "Ninguém Pode Ficar Para Trás"- Porto Solidário 20

Acompanha, CRL

 

REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA:
PULS COMUNITAR

 

ROMANIA:
ARAS - Romanian Association Against AIDS

Romanian Harm Reduction Network

Fundatia PARADA

Sens Pozitiv Association

ALIAT

 

SCOTLAND:

Scottish Drugs Forum

Crew 2000 Scotland

 

SERBIA:

Drug Policy Network South East Europe

NGO Re Generation

 

SLOVAKIA:
Odyseus

 

SLOVENIA:

Društvo SVIT Koper

Association SKUC

Društvo AREAL

Association DrogArt

Zveza NVO na področju drog in zasvojenosti

Association For Harm Reduction Stigma

 

SPAIN:
Governance Research Center - University of Salamanca

Asociación Stop SIDA

Metzineres SCCL

Kykeon Analytics

UNAD

Grupo de Trabajo sobre Tratamientos del VIH (gTt-VIH)

ICEERS - International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research and Service

Sociedad Clínica de Endocannabinología (SCE)

ARAIS

Asociación Amaina

Asociación Proyecto Hogar

Colectivo De Prevención E Incorporación CEPA

Asocación Progestión

ALAT

Federación Andaluza ENLACE

Asociación Punto OMega

Asociaciación Bienestar y Desarrollo

Asociación para la Prevención y Estudio de las Adicciones (APRET)

Fundacion Erguete-Integracion

Asociación Noesso

Asociación Bidesari

Fundación Ambit Prevencio

Asociación DESAL

Kykeon Analytics

 

SWEDEN:
Safe Haven Sweden

 

SWITZERLAND:
Groupement Romand d'Études des Addictions, GREA

Infodrog

ARUD Suchtzentrum

 

UKRAINE:
Alliance For Public Health (Drugstore Project)

ГОЗахідний  Ресурсний центр Волна-Захід / Western Resource Center of All-Ukrainian Association of People with Drug Addiction

VOLNa всеукраїнське об'єднання людей з наркозалежністю / Charity Organization "All-Ukrainian Association of People with Drug Addiction (VOLNA)"

Charitable Foundation "Second Life"

 

UNITED KINGDOM:

ReShape/International HIV Partnerships

Asociación Punto OMega

Psycare UK

Benzo Research Project

Newcastle University

PostScript360

WALES:
Barod

EUROPE/GLOBAL:
EuroNPUD

Coalition PLUS

Youth RISE

European Sex Workers' Rights Alliance (ESWA)

D2 INNOLAB- Global Innovation Lab on Drug Policy & Sustainable Development - Global 

AUSTRALIA:
AIVL

ECUADOR:
Anandamind

Parametria

 

FRENCH GUYANA:
Association guyanaise de réduction des risques (AGRRR)

NEPAL:
Recovering Nepal

SENEGAL:
Alliance Nationale des Communauté pour la Santé (ANCS)

 

 
And 150+ drug policy experts, researchers, healthcare professionals, citizens & activists...

Community-Led Approaches to HCV Testing, Treatment and Care

Read EuroNPUD’s technical briefing Community-Led Approaches to HCV Testing, Treatment and Care!

“The key argument for community-led approaches to hepatitis (HCV) testing, treatment and care is that they are highly effective in increasing HCV testing and treatment uptake and retention rates among people who use drugs due to their unique advantage in providing privileged access. This access is a crucial pathway, allowing for multiple points of entry essential for reaching both the treatment and non-treatment populations.

As highlighted in the case studies included in this Technical Briefing, the impact of peer workers and drug user activists on the expansion of HCV testing, treatment and care is substantial. Their dedication aligns seamlessly with the strategic objective of saturating peer networks with essential resources and knowledge, thereby facilitating broad access to comprehensive HCV testing, treatment and care. This briefing includes two case studies that spotlight successful community-led approaches in Portugal and Norway, offering valuable insights into the effectiveness of integrating peer-led initiatives into HCV healthcare strategies.” (p. 3.)

Changing landscapes: current and future developments in the field of Drug Consumption Rooms in Europe

At the 3rd International Symposium on Drug Consumption Rooms [DCRs], held at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, international professionals from a wide field of expertise gathered to discuss the role of these services within a human rights approach to drugs and drug use. This policy brief summarizes the day’s discussions to inform policy-makers on key topics and current developments in the field.

The Amsterdam Manifesto: A Catalyst for Change in Drug Policy

On the 26th of January 2024, the Dealing with Drugs – Cities and the Quest for Regulation Conference took place in Amsterdam, marking a significant milestone in the global discourse on drug policy. The event not only delved into how further regulation of the drug market can address the effects of drug-related crime but also witnessed the launch of the Amsterdam Manifesto—an outset for a growing informal coalition expressing the wish for the next steps. Representing the Correlation – European Harm Reduction Network (C-EHRN) at the conference, Katrin Schiffer (C-EHRN director) contributed to the Closing Panel, highlighting the importance of establishing harm reduction initiatives at a local level as an entry point for the dialogue around drug policy reforms.

C-EHRN stands behind the Amsterdam Manifesto Dealing With Drugs and applauds Mayor Femke Halsema’s courage in openly acknowledging the need for a reevaluation of drug policy, which aligns with the sentiments shared by many policymakers worldwide, though often not addressed openly. The need for a more humane and evidence-based drug policy approach is clear, and by organizing the Conference and bringing together so many like-minded advocates, a first step has been made.

Acknowledging the critical importance of collaboration, C-EHRN sees the Amsterdam Manifesto as not merely a conclusion to the conference but rather the beginning of a promising coalition of the willing. This coalition is envisioned to grow over the coming years, uniting policymakers, politicians, civil society representatives, researchers and communities—including people who use drugs, people with lived and living experience. Together, they aim to shape a comprehensive and inclusive strategy for dealing with the complexities of drug-related issues.

C-EHRN is committed to this cause and will contribute to it by

C-ERHN encourages its members and partners to support the initiative by endorsing the Manifesto.

EU institutions must respect Treaty on EU and implement structured civil dialogue now

On 24 January, European civil society sent an open letter to the Presidents of the European  Commission and the European Parliament, and the Belgian presidency of the Council of the  European Union. The signatories of the letter urge the three main institutions of the European Union  (EU) involved in EU decision-making to take concrete measures to implement an open, transparent and regular dialogue with civil society organisations in all policy areas, as set out in Article 11 of the  Treaty on European Union. The open letter was initiated by the Civil Society Organisations’ Group of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and Civil Society Europe and includes specific proposals for implementation. The letter gained the support of a total of 156 signatories from 26  Member States. The signatories include 39 European networks, 85 national organisations and 60  Members of the EESC’s Civil Society Organisations’ Group (1).

Civil dialogue remains patchy and unstructured across the EU institutions, in spite of the legal provisions.

This is why the signatories of the open letter #EUCivilDialogueNow are calling on the EU institutions  to:

building on the recommendations of the Conference on the Future of Europe.

As a first step, the signatories suggest a European Commission Communication on strengthening civil dialogue at the EU level.

“The European institutions have all the necessary tools to make considerable progress on our proposals,” said Séamus Boland, the President of the EESC’s Civil Society Organisations’ Group, on the eve of the letter’s launch. “In the next European Commission, a vice-president should take on the task of dialogue with civil society, and civil society coordinators should be appointed in each directorate-general,” added Mr Boland.

Gabriella Civico, the President of Civil Society Europe, said: “The Secretariat of the Council of the EU  and the offices of the European Parliament and Commission at the national level need to establish a regular dialogue with civil society. Civil society organisations need direct channels to engage in the EU  policy-making process.”

While the signatories respect the prerogatives of the social partners in social dialogue, they are calling for structured civil dialogue to complement it. Séamus Boland explained: “Effective and responsible civil society organisations can cooperate with governments and with employers’ and workers’  organisations in many areas of policy. The input of their knowledge and expertise can ensure that EU  policies in all fields and on all socio-economic issues are more targeted and effective.”

Gabriella Civico concluded: “Real civil dialogue and cooperation will lead to EU policies better securing the support of citizens and gaining more legitimacy in their eyes, and thus ensure smoother policy implementation. This is particularly important in a complex and rapidly changing world with many  challenges that our communities and societies need to address.”

 

Background information: 

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is a consultative body established by the 1957  Treaty of Rome. It assists the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the  European Commission. The EESC is the voice of organised civil society in Europe. It represents employers, workers and civil society organisations. The expertise of its 329 Members helps optimise the quality of EU policies and legislation. The EESC’s Civil Society Organisations’ Group is made up of  106 “other representatives and stakeholders of civil society, particularly in the economic, civic,  professional and cultural field”.

Its Members are drawn from organisations representing the following fields:

The overall aim of the Civil Society Organisations’ Group is to truly strengthen participatory democracy across the European Union and to make sure that EESC opinions on EU legislative proposals reflect the interests of all Europeans.

Civil Society Europe (CSE) is the coordination of civil society organisations at EU level established in  February 2016. It brings together 22 European networks of civil society organisations (CSOs) working towards regenerating the European project around the shared values of equality, solidarity, inclusiveness and democracy. Its main objectives are: to facilitate and enable horizontal and vertical dialogue between European civil society organisations and policy-makers and help strengthen CSOs in their activities and relations with the institutions.

CSE’s mission is to contribute to EU recognition of the essential role and value of independent and plural CSOs in building and nurturing a democratic society that is based on fundamental rights. CSE  also works to create the conditions for the development of a strong and independent civil society voice and effective, open, and structured civil dialogue at the EU level, as well as a thriving and enabling civic space across the Union.

For more information and interviews, please contact: 

Jasmin Klötzing
Communication Officer
Secretariat of the Civil Society Organisations’ Group
+ 32 (0) 2 546 90 67
Jasmin.kloetzing@eesc.europa.eu

Margarida Reis
Communication Assistant
Secretariat of the Civil Society Organisations’ Group
+ 32 (0) 2 546 90 36
Margarida.reis@eesc.europa.eu

If you want to stay informed about the activities of the Civil Society Organisations’ Group, please click here.

 

 

(1) When calculating the number of signatories (156), the EESC Members who also signed on behalf of their organisation are counted as single signatories.

Joint Statement | Sri Lanka: Stop Abusive Anti-Drug Operation and Release Those Arbitrarily Detained

We, the undersigned organisations, are deeply concerned about the drastic intensification of anti-drug operations in Sri Lanka leading to significant human rights violations.

On 17 December 2023 the Acting Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennekoon, with the endorsement of Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles, spearheaded an operation titled “Yukthiya”, with the stated aim of controlling “the drug menace”. The operation is ongoing as of 10 January 2024, with at least one thousand persons arrested daily.

This operation is unfolding in a context of already severe repression against persons who use or are suspected of using drugs, who suffer discrimination and stigma within the Sri Lankan criminal justice system and society.

Alongside the Sri Lankan police, members of the armed forces have been supporting this operation,[1] during which several human rights violations have been reported.[2] These violations include alleged arbitrary arrests, primarily against individuals from marginalised socio-economic communities; searches conducted without warrants or reasonable suspicion; and, degrading treatment including strip searches in public as well as cavity searches. The searches and arrests have been televised,[3] in violation not only of the right to privacy (and of basic human dignity) but also of a person’s right to be presumed innocent. According to lawyers, persons are being arrested even when no drugs are found in their possession, simply for having been arrested for drug offences or having been sent to compulsory rehabilitation in the past. The arrests of main livelihood earners and mothers have adversely impacted the ability of families to meet their basic needs during a time of economic crisis in Sri Lanka, and the wellbeing of children.

Persons are being arrested primarily under Section 54A of the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, an offence which is non-bailable. As a result, those arrested are bound to spend time (sometimes months) in pretrial detention, thereby exacerbating already poor conditions of imprisonment in an overburdened prison system.[4] The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka has previously stated[5] that the existing prison conditions and treatment of incarcerated persons are ‘inhumane and degrading’. At present, as per statistics issued by the Department of Prisons, the level of overcrowding of the prison system is at nearly 200% – with punitive drug policies playing a significant role: as of 2022, 63% of convicted persons were sentenced for drug-related offences.[6]

The total reported number of arrests pursuant to operation Yukthiya has exceeded 29,000 as of 9 January 2024,[7] while nearly 1,500 people are in administrative detention in police custody for further investigation.[8] At least 1,600 more persons have been sent for compulsory drug rehabilitation,[9] in violation of several fundamental rights, including the right to the highest attainable standard of health, which includes the right to consent to and withdraw from medical treatment. “Drug treatment” in these centres is abstinence-based, essential harm reduction services are not available,[10] and persons undergo severe withdrawal symptoms without any medical assistance while in detention. The use of violence to discipline and punish[11] has been reported in at least two compulsory drug rehabilitation centres which are within the purview of the Bureau of the Commissioner General for Rehabilitation and are operated by the military,[12] which is in itself a violation of international standards.

The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention in its statement at the conclusion of its visit to Sri Lanka in 2017[13] expressed concern regarding the involvement of military personnel in drug treatment and rehabilitation. It expressed concern that strenuous physical exercise was the core component of compulsory drug treatment, and at the lack of trained professionals to monitor the health of people in detention. Furthermore, the statement highlighted the irregularities in the judicial process by which persons were sent to the centre without a medical assessment being carried out.

More broadly, the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture has highlighted that by denying persons access to substitution therapies, states are subjecting “a large group of people to severe physical pain, suffering and humiliation, effectively punishing them for using drugs and trying to coerce them into abstinence.”[14] The Special Rapporteur has further stated “forcible testing of people who use drugs without respecting their autonomy and their right to informed consent may constitute degrading treatment, especially in detention settings. States are obliged to respect the enjoyment of the right to health, including by refraining from using coercive medical treatment. The requirement of informed consent, including the right to refuse treatment, should be observed in administering any treatment for drug dependence.”[15]

Since the 2016 UN General Assembly Special Session on drugs, there is international consensus on pursuing a holistic and health and human rights-based approach to drugs, which encompasses supply and demand reduction as well as harm reduction. The 2019 Ministerial Declaration on drugs – the current global drug policy document – as well as multiple resolutions of the UN General Assembly, the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, and the UN Human Rights Council reiterate and recommend a similar approach.

A punitive and militarised approach to drug control contravenes recognised international human rights standards and guidelines, is ineffective to protect individual and public health, and ultimately fails to make communities safer.

 

We call upon the government to:

  • Immediately cease operation “Yukthiya” and release persons who have been arrested without evidence or reasonable suspicion. The government should ensure that those arrested who do not have access to legal representation are provided legal aid.
  • Immediately release persons arrested or sent to compulsory drug rehabilitation for using drugs/having a drug dependence.
  • Cease involving the armed forces in drug control and treatment activities as consistent with human rights law.
  • Repeal laws that allow compulsory drug rehabilitation, close compulsory treatment centres and release persons presently held at the centres within the purview of the Bureau of Commissioner General for Rehabilitation.
  • Allocate adequate financial resources to provide voluntary, community and evidence-based drug treatment and care, under the leadership of the Ministry of Health.
  • Meaningfully engage civil society, communities, human rights experts and UN agencies, such as the World Health Organisation and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in reforming national drug laws and policy.
  • Ensure that any law enforcement operation to address the supply side is conducted respecting due process standards and constitutionally protected fundamental rights.

The co-signatories:

  1. Africa Network of People Who Use Drugs (AfricaNPUD) (Africa)
  2. Amnesty International (Global)
  3. Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network (ADPAN) (Asia)
  4. Association for Humane Drug Policy (Norway)
  5. Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation (CDPE) (Canada)
  6. Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales (CELS) (Argentina)
  7. Corporación Acción Técnica Social (Colombia)
  8. Correlation – European Harm Reduction Network (Europe)
  9. Dianova International (Global)
  10. Drug Harm Reduction Advocacy Network Nigeria (Nigeria)
  11. Drug Policy Australia (Australia)
  12. Fédération Addiction (France)
  13. Foreningen Tryggere Ruspolitikk /Safer Drug Policies (Norway)
  14. GREA – Groupement Romand d’Etudes des Addictions (Switzerland)
  15. Harm Reduction Australia (Australia)
  16. Harm Reduction International (Global)
  17. Health Poverty Action (Global)
  18. Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights (Poland)
  19. Human Rights Watch (Global)
  20. Instituto RIA AC (Mexico)
  21. International Commission of Jurists (ICJ)
  22. International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) (Global)
  23. International Network of People who Use Drugs (INPUD) (Global)
  24. LBH Masyarakat (Indonesia)
  25. Mainline Foundation (Netherlands)
  26. Metzineres (Spain)
  27. National Harm Reduction Coalition (USA)
  28. Recovering Nepal (Nepal)
  29. Release (UK)
  30. Skoun, Lebanese Addictions Centre (Lebanon)
  31. Transform Drug Policy Foundation (UK)
  32. Youth RISE (Global)
  33. Zimbabwe Civil Liberties and Drug Network (Zimbabwe)
 
 
 

[1] ‘Operation ‘Yukthiya’: 1,184 more suspects arrested with drugs’ Ada Derana, 5 January 2024. https://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=96159
[2] ‘HRCSL concerned over alleged human rights abuses in ’Yukthiya’ Operation’ Daily Mirror, 8 January 2024.
https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/HRCSL-concerned-over-alleged-human-rights-abuses-in-Yukthiya-Operation/108-274667
[3] ‘Operation Yukthiya: Over 18,000 suspects arrested since launch’ News First, 30 December 2023.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6vdBuEH4dw
[4 Ambika Satkunanathan (2021) ‘Broken System: Drug Control, Detention and Treatment of People
Who Use Drugs in Sri Lanka’ Harm Reduction International.
https://www.hri.global/files/2021/08/03/HRI_Report_Sri_Lanka_Drug_Control.pdf
[5] Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, Prison Study by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, 2020,
https://www.hrcsl.lk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Prison-Report-Final-2.pdf.
[6] Department of Prisons (2023) Prison Statistics 2022. http://prisons.gov.lk/web/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/prison-statistics2023.pdf
[7] “Operation Yukthiya Nets Over 29,000 Suspects in 22 Days” News First, 8 January 2024.
https://www.newsfirst.lk/2024/1/8/operation-yukthiya-nets-over-29-000-suspects-in-22-days
[8] Ibid
[9] ‘Yukthiya’ operation leads to 28,520 arrests’ Daily Mirror, 8 January 2023. https://www.dailymirror.lk/print/front-page/Yukthiyaoperation-leads-to-28-520-arrests/238-274623
[10] Ambika Satkunanathan (2021) ‘Broken System: Drug Control, Detention and Treatment of People
Who Use Drugs in Sri Lanka’ Harm Reduction International.
https://www.hri.global/files/2021/08/03/HRI_Report_Sri_Lanka_Drug_Control.pdf
[11] For narratives of persons who have been sent to compulsory treatment centres please see ‘A collection of personal narratives of
persons who use drugs in Sri Lanka (2024)’ compiled by Ambika Satkunanathan at
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WJdgrObqMd62aGdXchG7y5lcvI0zlNeP/view
[12] Ibid
[13] Working group on arbitrary detention: preliminary findings from its visit to Sri Lanka (4 to 15 December 2017).
https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements/2017/12/working-group-arbitrary-detention-preliminary-findings-its-visit-sri-lanka-4-15
[14] ‘Report of the Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment’ (UN Human
Rights Council, 1 February 2013) https://www.refworld.org/docid/51136ae62.html.
[15] Ibid

SEMID-EU: Migration and access to (Harm Reduction) Services

Several risk factors expose migrants in Europe to high-risk drug use. These include traumatic experiences, disengagement with society, unemployment and poverty. Services and municipalities throughout the European Union are faced with the urgent challenge to address these migrants’ needs.

A better understanding of the needs of vulnerable migrants who use drugs could improve local responses throughout Europe. In the SEMID-EU project, coordinated by Mainline, seven partners across Europe worked to improve the (harm reduction) services access for migrants. This project focuses on filling knowledge and practice gaps in drug use and migration in Europe, aiming to improve the wellbeing of vulnerable migrants who use drugs by improving knowledge and understanding among policymakers and practitioners and strengthening capacities of healthcare and support services working with these groups.

C-EHRN created several resources for this project, including a Policy Brief and several Fact Sheets, which you can download below.
Find out more about the other activities and results of the project here.

Joint statement for a human rights perspective in EU Anti-Trafficking Directive Amendments

On EU Anti-trafficking Day, various organizations including C-EHRN are urging the Council, European Parliament and Commission to prioritize a human rights perspective in the trialogue negotiations on amending Directive 2011/36/EU on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims.

The European Commission proposed criminalizing the use of services connected to trafficking in human beings with the knowledge that the person is a victim, and the Council suggested adding an element of intentional use of such services. However, the FEMM and LIBE Committees took a different stance by approving a report last week, considered the final position of the European Parliament. The report distinguishes between the “purpose” of exploitation and does not require knowledge or intention in the use of services of people who are the objects of exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation. Furthermore, the Parliament recommends Member States consider criminalizing clients of sex workers.

Such measures could overreach criminal law, deter reporting of trafficking cases, erode victim rights, and fail to target the true perpetrators. We, the organizations signing the statement, oppose to differentiating between types of human trafficking in the directive and to removing the knowledge requirement for the use of services to be a criminal offence, as it may worsen the situation for victims. Buyers often assist victims in escaping exploitation, and criminalization would deter such assistance. Additionally, the report’s call to criminalize all clients of sex work lacks evidence that it combats trafficking. The approach is stigmatizing and potentially conflating sex work with trafficking. We call for measures that empower all victims, ensure access to services, implement labour rights, and provide secure residence status.

Position Paper | People Who Use Drugs and Mental Health

This World Mental Health Day, in a significant stride towards prioritising the mental health of individuals who use drugs, the Civil Society Forum on Drugs (CSFD) has sent its position paper to the EU Spanish Presidency, the Horizontal Working Party on Drugs, and the European Commission. The paper, titled “People Who Use Drugs and Mental Health“, emphasises the urgent need to address the often neglected intersection of mental health and substance use within the European context.

The paper addresses the complexity of the relationship between mental health conditions and substance use. Mental health conditions are influenced by social determinants such as inequality, discrimination, violence, and homelessness, factors which disproportionately affect people who use drugs. Furthermore, specific subpopulations, including women, young people, ethnic minorities, and indigenous groups, face unique challenges in accessing appropriate services for their mental health and substance use needs. These disparities highlight the pressing need for a comprehensive and inclusive approach to addressing these issues from a person-centred, holistic perspective. The paper also calls for specific terminology reform, promoting the use of the term ‘comorbidity’ to describe the existence of both mental health conditions and substance use.

The paper concludes with a number of recommendations related to this issue, urging for a comprehensive review of current shortcomings in accessibility, inclusivity and sustainability of care. The CSFD welcomes the introduction of this topic within the political agenda, as these issues have historically been disregarded and warrant urgent consideration. The CSFD’s position paper serves as a call to action, urging policymakers, healthcare providers, and society at large to recognize and address the critical issues surrounding mental health and substance use. By adopting these recommendations and working together, we can strive for a more inclusive and compassionate approach to mental health care for all, particularly those who use drugs and face complex challenges.