New UN drugs tsar must be a leader on human rights
China's likely execution of drug dealers this week should inspire UN to choose a drugs tsar who will avoid complicity in abuses
The Guardian (UK)
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Recently, the UNODC has begun to take notice of the impact of its counternarcotics work on human rights. Antonio Maria Costa, the current executive director, has set out a series of recommendations for internal reform intended to improve the agency's human rights performance. This leadership on human rights is very welcome, and much needed, but it may already be under threat. Costa leaves his post at the end of July. Unfortunately, the current frontrunner for the role of UN drug tsar is the candidate being pushed by the Russian government.
