EU envoy praises amendment to Pak drug law ‘abolition of death penalty’

LAHORE: European Union Ambassador to Pakistan Dr. Riina Kionka, said Pakistan’s change in the law on drugs on Sunday is commendable, abolishing the death penalty for drug crimes.

She expressed these views while speaking at a program on “Drug Policy and the Impact of Treatment on Human Rights” organized by Justice Project Pakistan. “These are important legislative reforms that can serve as a basis for revisions and changes to existing drug penalties,” she noted.

Dr. Riina Kionka said several EU member states are developing alternatives to prison sentences and are actively working with partner countries such as Pakistan to promote a human rights-based approach to drug addiction.

The EU ambassador said states should prioritize the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of drug users, rather than resorting to punitive measures.

Dr. Kionka said the limited scope of the punitive approach to drugs has resulted in prison overcrowding. It complicated the rights issues of drug addicts and drug users, she said.

She said harm reduction is one of the key pillars of the EU drug policy framework. “By prioritizing harm reduction, the EU aims to minimize the health and social consequences of drug use,” she told the meeting.

The Justice Project Pakistan highlights global human rights challenges arising from the drug problem. It also addresses national and regional specific issues related to the implementation of drug laws and policies.