Pubdate: Wed, 05 Jun 2013
Source: Washington Post (DC)
Copyright: 2013 The Washington Post Company
Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/mUgeOPdZ
Website: http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/491
Author: Karen DeYoung

GROUP SAYS CRIMINALIZING DRUG USE VIOLATES HUMAN RIGHTS

On the eve of a major conference on drug problems in the Western 
Hemisphere, Human Rights Watch said Tuesday that jailing people for 
personal drug use constitutes a human rights violation and called for 
abolishing criminal penalties.

"To deter harmful drug use, governments should rely instead on 
non-penal regulatory and public health policies," the organization 
said in a statement released at a news conference in Guatemala, where 
the annual general assembly of the Organization of American States 
this week will focus on the drug policies of member governments. 
"Subjecting people to criminal sanctions for the personal use of 
drugs, or for possession of drugs for personal use, infringes on 
their autonomy and right to privacy."

Secretary of State John F. Kerry is heading the U.S. delegation to 
the conference.

Drug cultivation, trafficking and use have always been a major 
subtext of relations between the United States and the rest of the 
hemisphere. Many Latin American countries have long resented the U.S. 
focus on drug-related law enforcement and security in their 
countries, which has often overshadowed what they see as more 
important trade and development issues.

While levels of drug use are far higher in the United States, much of 
the supply comes from Latin America, which has suffered the brunt of 
violence associated with production and trafficking to the U.S. market.

More than half of the U.S. public, according to recent opinion polls, 
favors decriminalizing marijuana use. Eighteen states and the 
District allow medical marijuana, and 13 of them have eliminated 
criminal penalties for possession of small amounts by nonmedical users.

Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Brazil and Uruguay have considered or taken 
steps to limit prosecution for personal drug possession or use, 
although it remains a criminal offense in most countries.

In a speech during his visit to Mexico last month, President Obama 
said he favored a "comprehensive approach," including law 
enforcement, education, prevention and treatment. But he said, "I 
honestly do not believe that legalizing drugs is the answer."

Latin American leaders at last year's Summit of the Americas decided 
to make drug policies the centerpiece of this year's OAS assembly and 
ordered an extensive report, released last month, on all aspects of 
the drug issue, including the violence it has generated. Although it 
did not advocate a particular course, the report noted the huge 
financial and social costs of incarcerating users and described 
alternative strategies.

"No one here is defending any position, neither legalization, nor 
regulation, nor war at any cost," Colombian President Juan Manuel 
Santos said in describing the report. Calling for "better solutions," 
Santos said that "we all share a common destiny; where we sometimes 
differ is in how we reach it."

A hemisphere-wide discussion of the issue, he said, is overdue.

In calling for decriminalization of drug use, Human Rights Watch said 
enforcement of drug laws has "increased the profitability of illicit 
drug markets. That has in turn fueled the growth and operations of 
groups . . . that commit atrocities, undermine public security, and 
weaken the rule of law."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom