Drug-Related Offenses and the Death Penalty

October 14, 2015

Drugs and the Death Penalty: Capital Punishment and Global Drug Control (October 7, 2015)

There are currently thousands of people on death row in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa for drug-related offenses. The international drug control system must share the blame for promoting strict and severe punishments for drug offenses. UN human rights and drug control bodies now recognize that the death penalty for drugs violates international law, but a number of states argue that capital drug laws are a permissible sanction.

Ahead of the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on drugs, the Open Society Foundations and the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty hosted a discussion framing capital punishment in the context of international law and global drug control. An international panel of experts discussed the death penalty as it relates to drug offenses in their countries and on a global level. In addition, a brief report was presented outlining key recommendations for UN member states to consider leading up to the special session.

Listen above.

Topics

Criminal Justice, Discrimination, Drug Policy Reform, Harm Reduction, Law and Health

Harm Reduction for All

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For over a decade, the small Remedy Alliance nonprofit has revolutionized providing lifesaving healthcare for people who use drugs. Our new investment will help the group increase access to the overdose antidote naloxone.

December 12, 2023 | Sarah Evans & Georgia Levenson Keohane

WAR IS OVER?

How the United States Fueled a Global Drug War, and Why It Must End

As U.S. domestic drug policy reform gains momentum, it is time the United States makes a concerted effort to de-escalate the failed war on drugs elsewhere.

June 29, 2021 | Ann Fordham

EVENT RECAP

How Can We Help the Children of Incarcerated Parents?

Some of the most neglected victims of the war on drugs are the families and children of those who are incarcerated because of nonviolent drug offenses. A new report outlines the problem and presents research-driven solutions.

March 3, 2020

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