Drug Control and Human Rights in International Law

This book explores how international drug control law should be interpreted within the context of international human rights law.

Richard Lines (Author), William A. Schabas (Foreword by)

9781107171176, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 29 June 2017

238 pages
23.7 x 16 x 2 cm, 0.5 kg

Human rights violations occurring as a consequence of drug control and enforcement are a growing concern, and raise questions of treaty interpretation and of the appropriate balancing of concomitant obligations within the drug control and human rights treaty regimes. Tracing the evolution of international drug control law since 1909, this book explores the tensions between the regime's self-described humanitarian aspirations and its suppression of a common human behaviour as a form of 'evil'. Drawing on domestic, regional and international examples and case law, it posits the development of a dynamic, human rights-based interpretative approach to resolve tensions and conflicts between the regimes in a manner that safeguards human rights. Highlighting an important and emerging area of human rights inquiry from an international legal perspective, this book is a key resource for those working and studying in this field.

1. Drug control, human rights and 'parallel universes'
2. The four stages of drug control: development, structure and law
3. The contradictory paradigms of international drug control
4. Drug control and human rights: tensions and conflicts between regimes
5. The object and purpose of the international drug control regime
6. The case for dynamic interpretation of the international drug control conventions
7. Moving the 'thumb on the scales' - towards a dynamic human rights-based interpretation of international drug control law
8. The future for a 'fifth stage' of drug control?

Subject Areas: International law [LB], Law [L], Human rights [JPVH], United Nations & UN agencies [JPSN1], Politics & government [JP], Drugs trade / drug trafficking [JKVG], Ethical issues & debates [JFM], Drug & substance abuse: social aspects [JFFH1], Violence in society [JFFE], Society & social sciences [J]