Delegates from the European Union, Switzerland, Brazil, Costa Rica, Uruguay among others called for abolishing capital punishment for drug criminals.
World governments gathered at the United Nations were urged to move away from repression in tackling the drug problem, end the use of the death penalty for drug offences and step up treatment.
The UN General Assembly opened the first meeting on the global drug problem since 1998 to adopt a document that marks a shift away from the “war on drugs” with its heavy-handed approach centered on law enforcement.
“Drug policies that focus almost exclusively on the use of the criminal justice system need to be broadened. They need to be broadened by embracing a public health approach,” said World Health Organisation director Margaret Chan, drawing applause.
Delegates from the European Union, Switzerland, Brazil, Costa Rica, Uruguay among others called for abolishing capital punishment for drug criminals, a practice used by China, Iran and Indonesia.
Source: The Journal, 19/04/16