Publications

Nearly one in three HIV infections outside Africa is among people who inject drugs. The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) could and should be playing a key role in stopping this injection-driven HIV epidemic — but it’s not. Instead, the Board — a 13-person, ostensibly independent body that does not speak for the United Nations … Read more

Article in “The Power of Pills — Social, Ethical & Legal Issues in Drug Development, Marketing and Pricing” (Pluto Books, 2006) In May 2004, Canada became the first country to enact detailed legislation to allow compulsory licensing of patented pharmaceuticals so that lower-cost, generic versions could be exported to eligible developing countries lacking the industrial … Read more

After filing a submission to the European Court of Human Rights regarding this prisoner’s case against the British government, the Legal Network and the Irish Penal Reform Trust were invited to prepare a supplementary submission in reply to the U.K. government’s observations. To read the original submission, see “Related Publications” below.

“As representatives of ECOSOC-accredited non-governmental organizations who have attended the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), we write to express our concern and discontent with the recent recommendation by the Extended Bureau, relayed by CND secretary Andres Finguerut, that the Committee of the Whole should be a “private” meeting excluding NGOs. This recommendation violates the spirit … Read more

This briefing paper critiques the report of the House of Commons Subcommittee on Solicitation Laws in detail. It also summarizes the Legal Network’s analysis of the criminal law’s impact on sex workers and calls on federal politicians to show real leadership by standing up for the human rights of sex workers in Canada.

“At the Gleneagles Summit in July 2005, G8 leaders promised to develop and implement a package for HIV prevention, treatment and care, with the aim of as close as possible to universal access to treatment for all those who need it by 2010. Canada was among the countries that reaffirmed a commitment to this target … Read more

“On behalf of our more than 200 members, including front-line AIDS service organizations and people living with HIV/AIDS, I am writing to applaud your recent statements supporting supervised injection sites. . . . I urge you and your caucus to continue to stand up and speak out for Insite. Canadians deserve to know how successful … Read more

Canada’s Access to Medicines Regime (CAMR) is failing to meet its goals. Most people living with HIV/AIDS continue to be denied life-saving treatment, in part due to the high costs of patented drugs. The need for affordable medicines is clear; and Canada must ensure that the CAMR fulfills its humanitarian goals.

“We write in response to the Consultation Paper released in November 2006 as part of the government’s review of what is now described as ‘Canada’s Access to Medicines Regime’ (CAMR), the legislative scheme under the Patent Act and the Food and Drugs Act to enable compulsory licensing of patented pharmaceuticals for the purpose of exporting … Read more

In 2005, courts in the United Kingdom dismissed a prisoner’s case against the British government. The prisoner was seeking a court order to force the government to implement sterile syringe programs in prisons as a measure to reduce the risk of infection with blood-borne diseases such as HIV through the sharing of drug injection equipment. … Read more