Publication Language: English

Report to the International Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR): Right to health of people who use drugs and people living with HIV in Uzbekistan

This report is submitted by the HIV Legal Network and the Eurasian Harm Reduction Association. The report is based on official statistics, information from the open sources, and communications with civil society activists in Uzbekistan. In 2014, the Committee noted the growing incidence of HIV and AIDS, particularly among people who inject drugs, and urged Uzbekistan … Read more

The Life of a Foreign Agent: Risks and Perspectives on Operating in Russia as a Non-Profit Organization Designated as a Foreign Agent

Since 2012, more than 20 laws have been implemented and are actively applied in the Russian Federation that create significant obstacles for HIV service NPOs that receive foreign financing (laws regulating legal entities–foreign agents, MMO-foreign agents, individuals–foreign agents, citizen groups–foreign agents, and laws regulating undesirable organizations). The effects of these laws are compounded by prohibitions … Read more

Drug Laws and Policies in Four Regions of Eurasia

There is considerable variance in how countries in the regions of Eastern, Central and Southern Europe, as well as Central Asia and Transcaucasia, are affected by “the world drug problem” and their responses to this public health challenge. However, what they face in common is a high prevalence of injection drug use (IDU) and serious … Read more

Letter to Minister Mary Ng regarding TRIPS waiver

The following letter was sent to Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development on behalf of more than 40 international organizations and nearly 60 individual experts in the field of health and social justice.   November 24, 2021 Honourable Mary Ng Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business … Read more

Harms of Sex Offender Registries in Canada among people living with HIV

This paper examines the harms of sex offender registries (SOR) in Canada as experienced by people living with HIV. These harms are significant and wide-ranging, and include social harms, psychological harms, and harms to liberty and human dignity. Specifically, this paper examines the experiences of people living with HIV convicted of aggravated sexual assault for … Read more

MEDIA RELEASE: LEADING HUMAN RIGHTS AND PUBLIC HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS RELEASE NATIONAL DRUG DECRIMINALIZATION PLATFORM FOR CANADA

Leading human rights and public health organizations release national drug decriminalization platform for Canada   The bill that the federal government introduced this week to repeal mandatory minimum sentences and offer alternatives to prosecution for simple drug possession is a step in the right direction, but doesn’t go far enough. For immediate release Thursday, December 9, 2021 … Read more

Decriminalization Done Right: A Rights-Based Path for Drug Policy

A CALL TO PUT HEALTH AND HUMAN RIGHTS FIRST Punitive drug laws and policies purported to deter drug use have failed — and worse, they have done catastrophic harm. They have fueled deadly stigma; epidemics of preventable illness and death; poverty; homelessness; and widespread, systematic, and egregious violations of human rights. They are rooted in, … Read more

Deputation to Toronto Board of Health re: Toronto’s submission to Health Canada for a section 56 exemption to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

Today, Sandra Ka Hon Chu, Co-Executive Director at the HIV Legal Network, on behalf of Angela Robertson, Executive Director, Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre, and Jason Altenberg, Chief Executive Officer, South Riverdale Community Health Centre, made this deputation to the Toronto Board of Health regarding Toronto’s submission to Health Canada for a section 56 exemption to … Read more

Letter to Eileen de Villa re: Toronto’s submission to Health Canada for a section 56 exemption to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

Today, November 29, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health has proposed a new model for drug policy — you can read more about the Toronto model here: https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-173568.pdf We are pleased that drug decriminalization is being considered and that the process is beginning. You can read our assessment of the Toronto model here. It’s time for decriminalization … Read more