At the 61st session of the Human Rights Council, Commissioner Ruth Dreifuss delivered the closing remarks in a side event entitled “Human Rights Implications of Drug Policy: Advancing Rights-Based, Evidence-Informed and Development-Oriented Responses,” co-organized by the Global Commission, together with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and UNAIDS.

Moderated by Luciana Mermet (UNDP), the event featured welcome remarks by Simon Walker (OHCHR) and opening remarks by H.E. João Mira Gomes, Permanent Representative of Portugal to the UN Office in Geneva. Steve Rolles (Transform Drug Policy Foundation) presented UNDP’s discussion paper (available in English).

Panel contributions included Angeli Achrekar (UNAIDS), Anton Basenko (International Network of People Who Use Drugs – INPUD), and Vuyiseka Dubula (Global Fund). Closing remarks were delivered by Commissioner Dreifuss and H.E. Ambassador Gustavo Gallón of Colombia, Permanent Representative of Colombia to the UN in Geneva.

The discussion highlighted practical approaches to implementing the HRC Resolution 60/26, on the human rights implications of drug policy, including decriminalization, alternatives to incarceration, and gender-responsive, evidence-informed drug policies.