Special Rapporteurs Write to CND

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the prevention of torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, and the Special Rapporteur on the right to health have produced guidelines for the political declaration and its annex that will be agreed at the Commission on Narcotic Drugs this March. The advice, contained in a letter to all member states, seeks to ensure that in the areas of harm reduction, ensuring protection against torture in law enforcement, principles of non-refoulement, ensuring access to essential medicines for pain relief, and access to treatment there is consistency between drug policy and international commitments and obligations relating to human rights.