News and Announcements

Call to uphold the rights of people who use drugs and harm reduction in the new UNAIDS Strategy

04 September 2020

Ahead of the UNAIDS Multi-Stakeholder Consultation on 16 September, 33 civil society and community-led organisations working on drug policy and harm reduction are urging the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board (UNAIDS PCB) to uphold the rights of people who use drugs and harm reduction in the new UNAIDS Strategy. This letter includes six key… Read more

Briefing - Summary of the Report of High Commissioner for Human Rights on the Philippines

26 June 2020

In July 2019, the Human Rights Council requested the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to prepare a report on the situation of human rights in the Philippines. This briefing summarises the report of the High Commissioner, which details a wide range of human rights violations and widespread impunity. Read more

Drug Offences and the Death Penalty in Malaysia - Briefing Papers

05 June 2020

Monash University, in partnership with ADPAN and HRI, undertook a research to reveal the significant fair trial issues for more than 1,000 people on death row in Malaysia. These three briefing papers highlight key issues. Read more

Drug Offences and the Death Penalty in Malaysia: Fair Trial Rights and Ramifications

29 May 2020

Research reveals significant fair trial issues for more than 1,000 people on death row in Malaysia - including a reversal of the presumption of innocence in drug trials and significant barriers to… Read more

Safeguarding funding for harm reduction during COVID-19

12 May 2020

Harm Reduction International and INPUD urge international donors, philanthropic organisations and national governments to safeguard funding for harm reduction during COVID-19. In advance of the Global Fund Board Meeting on 14 and 15 May 2020, we urge the Global Fund to ensure that COVID-19 emergency funding is directed to, and serves the most… Read more

Urgent call to protect the health and human rights of people who use drugs during COVID-19

07 April 2020

In a joint statement released today, the International Network of People Who use Drugs, the International Drug Policy Consortium, Harm Reduction International, and over 300 organisations and individuals from all over the world, warn that punishment-led drug policies are compounding the health, economic and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.… Read more

Call to action COVID-19 - Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health

31 March 2020

The COVID-19 emergency poses unprecedented challenges, creating new vulnerabilities and exacerbating existing ones. In this context, people who use drugs have unique needs and face unique risks due to criminalisation, stigma, underlying health issues, social marginalisation and higher economic and social vulnerabilities, including a lack of… Read more

Harm Reduction International Statement, CND 2020

05 March 2020

Thank you Chair for the opportunity to make this intervention on behalf of Harm Reduction International. In the 2019 Ministerial Declaration, Member States noted with concern that the rate of transmission of HIV, HCV and other blood borne diseases associated with drug use remains high in many countries, and resolved to strengthen initiatives and… Read more

Executions for drug offences increase after years of consistent decline

04 March 2020

New report finds Saudi Arabia to be top executioner for drug offences for second consecutive year, while state secrecy in China and Vietnam clouds official figures Executions for drug offences increased by 31 percent in 2019 for the first time since 2015. At least 122 people were executed on drug charges in 2019, according to new data released… Read more

Harm Reduction International is thrilled to be holding our HR21 conference in Melbourne

18 February 2020

Harm Reduction International is thrilled to be holding HR21 in Melbourne, Australia, at the Melbourne Conference and Exhibition Centre on 1-4 December 2021. We would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we will meet, and pay respects to the five tribes of the Kulin Nation. We pay respects to the Elders of the… Read more