Kazakh Ombudsman took part in the annual international scientific and practical conference «A DRUG-FREE FUTURE»

June 24, 2022 – Commissioner for Human Rights Elvira Azimova took part in the annual international scientific and practical conference on the topic «A DRUG-FREE FUTURE».

The conference is organized by the Makan Esbulatov Almaty Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan and is held annually on the eve of the International Day against Drug Addiction and Illicit Drug Trafficking. This day is celebrated annually on June 26 under the auspices of the United Nations to draw the attention of states and organizations to the urgency of countering drug crimes and illicit trafficking in narcotic and synthetic drugs with the involvement of citizens and law enforcement agencies and non-governmental organizations, society and citizens.

In 2021, on the eve of this day, an Interdepartmental Working Group chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Yeraly Tugzhanov approved a Roadmap for countering drug crime and improving drug prevention Measures for 2022-2023.

The roadmap includes several practical, legislative, and international initiatives. There is one year left until the completion of the Roadmap implementation period. In this regard, the Commissioner noted the expediency of starting work on the next package of preventive measures with the broad involvement of society and citizens.

«It is advisable to start monitoring the effectiveness of the implementation of measures and discussing new approaches, including in terms of interfacing with other state programs, in the field of health, education, social protection, culture, media development, individual programs related to strengthening the family and protecting the rights of the child. It is inefficient to focus only on the work of law enforcement agencies.

UN bodies consider human rights as an integral part of international drug control policy. Back in 2008, the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, in its resolution 51/12, noted that the world drug problem should be solved multilaterally, with full respect for human rights.

Therefore, human rights organizations are concerned about the negative consequences of drug control policies due to the focus only on punitive measures. Such an approach can lead to an excessively high level of violence», said Elvira Azimova.

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