SOU, Alm.del - 2013-14 - Bilag 100: Henvendelse af 14/1-14 fra Gadejuristen, AIDS Fondet, Levende Menneskerettigheder, Brugerforeningen for aktive stofbrugere og Brugernes Akademi vedrørende invitation til konference om international narkotikapolitik, menneskerettigheder og udviklingspolitik

Scandinavian Civil Society Conference on International Drug Policy, Human Rights and DevelopmentInvitation to the Civil Society ConferenceFebruary 6th• 9am – 4.30pmDrugs are a complex and controversial issue. For more than fifty years,however, the international response to “the world drug problem” hasfocused on a repressive and punitive approach to eliminate the supply anddemand for illicit substances. The negative effects of this on security,development and human rights are well documented, but there remains areticence on the part of many governments to change direction.In 2016 there will be a UN General Assembly Special Session on Drugs, a oncein a generation opportunity to influence the course of international drugpolicies for the benefit of development and human rights.The upcomingHigh Level Review in Vienna in March 2014 of the 2009 UN PoliticalDeclaration and Plan of Action will influence both the process anddiscussions leading up to 2016 UNGASS.With these important events in mind this conference will for the first timebring together Scandinavian civil society to discuss international drug policy,human rights and development from a Scandinavian perspective.The conference will involve politicians, government officials, national andinternational experts and will focus on the foreign policy priorities ofScandinavian countries leading into the 2016 UN special session.Developments at national level within the Scandinavian region will also bediscussed, and questions asked as to if and how national policy translatesinto international diplomacy.This conference is intended to share information and insights in order topromote strong leadership from Scandinavian countries on development andhuman rights in the lead up to and during the UN special session process.Register for the conference by sending name and contact details to[email protected]before January 24th. Should you have anyquestions regarding the conference, please contact[email protected].These are traditionally strong areas for Scandinavia, but are often highlycontroversial in international drug policy.The Danish Minister for Health and Prevention, Ms. Astrid Krag, will open theevent.

Human Rights in Action • Conference Boat Liva II • Nyhavn 26 •

1051 Copenhagen K