CND Thematic Intersessional 2022
The fourth CND thematic intersessional took place September 21-22 2022, in Vienna, Austria. The meeting was held as a hybrid event with participants joining both online and in person.
The thematic discussions follow the format used within the CND since 2016, and are based on the multi-year workplan that Member States developed in 2019. Wherein the CND will hold, every autumn, inter-active meetings aiming to address the challenges identified in the ‘stock taking’ – part of the Ministerial Declration.
21 September
Thematic focus: “Responses not in conformity with the three international drug control conventions pose a challenge to the implementation of joint commitments based on the principle of common and shared responsibility”
22 September
Thematic focus: “Responses not in conformity with applicable international human rights obligations pose a challenge to the implementation of joint commitments based on the principle of common and shared responsibility”
In July & August 2022 the VNGOC held an open call and selected five civil society speakers for each thematic segment. A record of the discussions can be found on the CNDBlog.
21 September – Drug Control Conventions
5 civil society speakers, selected through an open call by the VNGOC in August 2022, presented their views to Member States.
Dr Rajagopal M R, Pallium India
Best practices, ensuring opioid availability for the relief of pain & suffering
Stephen Rolles, Transform Drug Policy Foundation (UK)
Available options to resolve treaty tensions in the face of a growing trend towards cannabis regulation
LEAP Europe
The role of law enforcement in evidence based drug policy
Sedef Ercetin, Turkish Green Crescent
The recent legalization trends of cannabis, push the legal limits currently prescribed by the drug-related treaties
Prince Bull-Luseni, West Africa Drug Policy Network
Drug laws in West Africa fail to conform with UN Drug Control Conventions
22 September – Human Rights
5 civil society speakers, selected through an open call by the VNGOC in August 2022, presented their views to Member States. In addition the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) took the floor during the discussions.
Dr Penny Hill, Australian Civil Society Committee on UN Drug Policy
Key issues raised in the review of Australia’s human rights obligations in relation to local drug policies.
Luis Felipe Cruz Olivera, Dejusticia (Colombia)
Respecting human rights in the eradication of cultivation of illicit plants
Beatrix Vas, Youth RISE (Hungary)
Protecting the health and well being of Youth
Augusto Nogueira, ARTM (Macau)
The Asia-Pacific Common Position on Drugs
Ajeng Larasati, Harm Reduction International
Promoting the right to life by guaranteeing essential, lifesaving health services to people who use drugs
