United Nations Shelves Leaked Report Calling for Decriminalization of All Drugs Nigel Morris - The Independent
go to original October 21, 2015

Virgin founder Richard Branson speaks out in support of a UN report into drug decriminalization during an interview with CNN's Michael Holmes. (CNN)

United Nations officials have called for the possession and use of all drugs to be decriminalized by governments, in a private report hailed as a “turning-point in drug policy reform”.

But the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) immediately distanced itself from the controversial conclusions, which were leaked by the Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson, and insisted they did not represent the UN’s official position.

The briefing paper argues that criminalizing drug use increases death rates among addicts and has led to the jailing of millions of people for non-violent offences.

It also warns of “high levels of discrimination” against drug-users and says the human rights of large numbers have been breached because they are illegally held in custody.

It concludes: “The international drug control conventions do not impose on member states obligations to criminalise drug use and possession for personal consumption. Member states should consider the implementation of measures to promote the right to health and to reduce prison overcrowding, including by decriminalizing drug use and possession for personal consumption.”

The paper is understood to have been written by Monica Beg, who heads the HIV/Aids section of the UNODC, which is based in Vienna.

Read the rest at The Independent

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