INPUD calls on UNODC to engage with civil society partners, in particular people who use drugs

On 12 December 2012, Eliot Ross Albers, from the International Network of People Who Use Drugs (INPUD) made an intervention at the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) blaming UNODC in inadequate relationship with civil society networks and unwillingness to work in meaningful partnership with the community of people who use drugs.

The meaningful engagement of civil society in international decision-making is widely recognized as best practice, and has been emphasized since the inception of the United Nations.

UNODC, like all bodies under ECOSOC, is obligated under Article 71 of the UN Charter to engage civil society in its work. Yet it lacks formal policies or processes for meaningful participation, provides no support to international networks, and has demonstrated a consistent unwillingness to work in meaningful partnership. This lack of leadership and commitment is manifesting itself in a marked failure to reach the UN General Assembly target of reducing transmission of HIV among people who inject drugs by 50 per cent by 2015.

The full text of intervention is available below.

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