Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs on the Right to Physical and Mental Health

Human Rights Council ‒ 56th session

Item 3: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right to physical and mental health

Statement by H.E. Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörd Gylfadóttir, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland on behalf of the Nordic Baltic Countries: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania Norway, Sweden and Iceland

24 June 2024

Mr. President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries.

We thank the Special Rapporteur for her comprehensive report on the right to health and the intersection between drug policies, human rights and public health. Her in-depth analysis of drug laws and policies and the related outcomes that adversely impact the enjoyment of the right to health are an important contribution to the growing discourse on harm reduction.

Drug use remains a significant public health concern that poses a threat to the health and wellbeing of diverse populations globally.

Its stigmatization exacerbates inequalities, hinders access to essential health services and serves to perpetuatecycles of discrimination and negative coping mechanisms that disproportionately affect persons in vulnerable situations. We note with concern that criminalization of HIV transmission impedes appropriate health services.

The prevalence of drug use and its negative implications underscore the need for enhanced collective efforts for the development of evidence-based, comprehensive and gender-responsive drug policies informed by disaggregated data.

These policies must take a human rights-based approach, ensuring inclusion and equitable access to health and social services for all persons in line with the AAAQ Framework.

Special Rapporteur, in your view, what are the key obstacles to a human rights-based approach to drug policies?

I thank you.