The HRIC works closely with the International Harm Reduction Association (IHRA) and the International Centre on Human Rights and Drug Policy. Mr Damon Barrett from the Centre visited the HRIC in November 2011 and delivered a presentation on Drug control: the need for thematic human rights focus (PDF, 8kB) in the remits of Visiting Staff seminar series.

The IHRA is one of the leading international non-governmental organisations promoting policies and practises that reduce the harms from psychoactive substances, harms that include not only the increased vulnerability to HIV and hepatitis C infection among people who use drugs, but also the negative social, health, economic and criminal impacts of drug laws and policies on individuals, communities and society.

In Fall 2011 the HRIC team was approached by the IHRA with the request to comment on its draft report Inflicting Harm: Judicial corporal punishment for drug and alcohol offences in selected countries. This report examines judicial corporal punishment in international law, and the laws around its application at national level. Twelve jurisdictions for which IHRA could find credible, primary sources and legal texts are reviewed. Although not a global overview, this report is the beginning of much needed attention to a practice that is without justification, and that may be easily abandoned. With increasing attention to abuses by police against people who use drugs, in drug detention centres, in prisons and in health care settings, it is also a timely discussion. It is hoped that this report will help policy makers, academics, researchers and practitioners to understand better the legal frameworks surrounding corporal punishment for drugs and alcohol offences, and shape their work in the light of international standards and norms.

The report was published in November 2011.