Submission to the 64th Commission on Narcotic Drugs

Promoting equity and evidence in drug policy in the midst and wake of COVID-19 This brief is submitted by the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network (Special Consultative Status) on behalf of the Canadian Civil Society Working Group on United Nations Drug Policy. It should be considered alongside the submission by the Canadian Centre on Substance Use … Read more

SEX WORKER HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS LAUNCH CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGE

SEX WORKER HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS LAUNCH CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGE  PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   March 30, 2021 –  The Canadian Alliance for Sex Work Law Reform — an alliance of 25 sex worker rights groups across the country led predominantly by and for sex workers — along with several individual applicants, have filed a … Read more

Letter to Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart re CDSA exemption

The HIV Legal Network, the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition, and Pivot Legal Society have written to Kennedy Stewart, mayor of Vancouver, urging him to develop a “Vancouver Model” for decriminalization that is appropriately broad and responds to the aspirations and needs of people who use drugs. This letter follows up on the submission sent in … Read more

Drug decriminalization and international law: Brief submitted to the Health Canada Expert Task Force on Substance Use

The HIV Legal Network submitted this brief to the Health Canada Expert Task Force on Substance Use as part of their look into alternatives to criminal penalties for simple possession of controlled substances. As we wrote, “Canada has both important latitude under the drug control conventions, and important obligations under human rights treaties it has ratified. … Read more

Letter: Canada must support global access to COVID-19 vaccines at the WTO

The HIV Legal Network is a proud signatory of this open letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, urging him to support global access to COVID-19 vaccines. March 10, 2021  SENT VIA EMAIL  The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P.   Prime Minister of Canada    Re: Canada must support global access to COVID-19 vaccines at the WTO    Dear Prime … Read more

MEDIA RELEASE: International Conference on cannabis in Kyrgyz Republic

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CANNABIS IN KYRGYZ REPUBLIC FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Will Kyrgyz Republic win the war on poverty through the use of industrial hemp, medical and recreational cannabis? Professor Nazaraliev will discuss this topic with the world’s top experts. The first international conference on the legalization of cannabis and its derivatives in Kyrgyz Republic will … Read more

Submission to the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association

The expected escalation of the Russian government’s crackdown of civil society poses a fundamental challenge. The new amendments to the so-called Foreign Agents Law (FA Law) have created new threats and vulnerabilities for civil society organisations (CSOs) as well as active citizens. Since its introduction in 2012, this law has targeted independent Russian CSOs, including … Read more

Statement on suspension of injectable opioid agonist treatment (iOAT) in Alberta

Statement on suspension of injectable opioid agonist treatment (iOAT) in Alberta Personal health and safety at risk due to court ruling Edmonton, AB—Canadian Association of People Who Use Drugs, Canadian Drug Policy Coalition, Friends of Medicare, Moms Stop the Harm, and HIV Legal Network are deeply concerned about the health and safety impacts to vulnerable … Read more

OPEN LETTER: Urgent appeal to increase access to GeneXpert SARS-CoV-2 tests in LMICs

The HIV Legal Network has signed this open letter to the president and CEO of Cepheid, urging the company to increase access to GeneXpert SARS-COV-2 tests in low- and middle-income countries.   Mr. Warren C. Kocmond President and Chief Operating Officer Cepheid 904 Caribbean Drive Sunnyvale, CA 94089 United States CC: Mr. Philippe Jacon, President, … Read more