Harm Reduction International Blog
Women who use drugs, domestic violence and access to shelters
19 March 2013
HRI launched a new briefing paper on the issues of ‘Women who inject drugs and experience domestic violence and access to shelters’ at the side event on ‘preventing and eliminating the violence against women: drug policy reform as a way of violence elimination’ organised by Eurasian Harm Reduction Network on 12 March 2013 during the UN Commission… Read more
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women - General Discussion on "access to justice"
19 February 2013
On 18 February 2013 Harm Reduction International made a statement at the Day of General Discussion of the UN Committee on Elimination of Discrimination against Women to highlight the direct and indirect discrimination against women affected by drugs and criminal justice policies across the globe: Thank you madam chairperson, Harm Reduction… Read more
EU drug strategy 2013-2020 strong on harm reduction, human rights, civil society participation
19 December 2012
The new EU drug strategy was adopted on December 11 without much in the way of fanfare. A year ago, harm reduction organisations had been concerned that changes in governments within EU member states, and changes in priorities within the European Commission might lead to a weaker strategy than had been in place from 2007-2012, and which had… Read more
Harm Reduction is a requirement of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
06 November 2012
The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has confirmed its view that harm reduction is a child rights requirement. Read more
Access to Legal Aid for People Who Use Drugs on UN agenda
29 October 2012
World leaders gathered at the UN General Assembly’s 67th session in New York last week to discuss strengthening the rule of law. In the midst of this discussion, the Third Committee (which deals with humanitarian and social affairs) adopted the draft UN Principles on Access to Legal Aid in Criminal Justice Systems . Within them, drug users are… Read more
'Ireland considering the Swedish model against prostitution? Maybe not after all' by Louise Persson
29 October 2012
A surprisingly mixed crowd gathered on the 13th of October in Dublin at the Department of Justice for a conference to discuss the future of Irish prostitution policy and law. Read more
Commonwealth countries should take steps to repeal discriminatory laws that impede effective HIV responses
19 September 2012
Commonwealth countries should take steps to repeal discriminatory laws that impede effective HIV responses. Commonwealth Ministers of Foreign Affairs will meet on 29 September in New York to decide whether the Commonwealth will show leadership to reform outdated laws. Your support is needed to make sure they do. Criminalizing people… Read more
Existing drugs laws are harmful to individuals, communities and countries - Joint op-ed by HRI and the International Federation of the Red Cross
14 August 2012
Do no harm and protect people from injustice. These are the basic principles of the Hippocratic Oath, which is taken by doctors all over the world. Within these principles are the fundamental concepts of impartiality, humanity, equity and fairness which should underpin public policy. They also reflect the humanitarian foundations upon which the… Read more
Serbian Priest Kills Drug User
08 August 2012
A Serbian Orthodox Church priest has killed a man at a rehab centre, reviving memories of brutal beatings at a church run addiction treatment centre in the country. Read more
Harm reduction in a Malaysian fishing village - a slideshow
07 August 2012
A short slideshow depicting a needle and syringe programme operating within a Malaysian fishing community. Read more
