Criminal justice

Publications1 January 1970

'Disrupt and vilify': The war on immigrants inside the US war on drugs

The Drug Policy Alliance and Human Rights Watch presents recommendations on immigration and drug laws that disproportionately affect migrants

News7 April 2025

US: Oregon abandoned its radical drug law. Then came the mass arrests

The state's decriminalisation rollback has led to thousands of arrests feeding disruptive cycles of detention and release with no improvements in access to housing, healthcare and other forms of support.

Events

Trust-building strategies when assisting people who use drugs facing criminal charges

Online

10 April 2025

The event will feature expert insights, practical approaches, and interactive discussions to promote fairer, more compassionate justice systems.

News10 February 2025

Human rights and the social reintegration of persons released from detention and persons subjected to non-custodial measures - OHCHR call for inputs

The OHCHR seeks to identify policies, programmes and partnerships for rights-affirming approaches.

News21 November 2024

Abolish mandatory sentencing and all extreme punitive responses - Joint statement to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention

IDPC co-signs joint statement at the 57th session of the Human Rights Council urging sentencing reform for drug offences, including abolishing the death penalty and mandatory sentences.

News21 November 2024

Death penalty: Enact an immediate moratorium toward abolition - Joint statement to the UN Secretary-General

IDPC co-signs joint statement at the General Debate with the UN Secretary-General, advocating for an end to the death penalty for drug offences.

Publications22 October 2024

“It should be hard to be a drug abuser”: An evaluation of the criminalization of drug use in Sweden

Stenström et al. evaluate the criminalization of drugs in Sweden—showing that it has not reduced problematic drug use or drug-related deaths and is, instead, expensive, ineffective and harmful.

Publications2 October 2024

Visit to Mexico - Report of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention

The expert group recommended the government abandons the punitive approach to drug use and dealing, and seek alternatives to detention.

Publications1 October 2024

Criminal legal system engagement among people who use drugs in Oregon following decriminalization of drug possession

Smiley-McDonald et al. find that despite decriminalisation, people who use drugs in Oregon continued to face high levels of policing, incarceration and drug seizures, whilst awareness of decriminalisation remained low.

Publications1 October 2024

Diversion or death? The moral framework shaping bifurcated punishments for drug offences in Indonesia

Hoyle and Harry discuss how frameworks of morality, compassion and traditionalism shape criminal justice outcomes and punitive responses, informing efforts to challenge harsh penal policy and capital punishment in the region.

Events

UN General Assembly 79th session - Third Committee

New York, United States

7 October 2024 - 22 November 2024

Each year the UNGA Third Committee negotiates the Omnibus Resolution, which contains a summary of the latest developments and updates in international drug policy by UN bodies.

Publications1 October 2024

Know your rights: On drug laws for Indigenous people who use drugs

The HIV Legal Network highlight the deep-rooted colonialism and racism underpinning Canada's drug laws, offering Indigenous people who use drugs crucial knowledge about their legal rights and protections.

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