Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy, Vice Rector of Üsküdar University and member of the United Nations Drug Control Board (INCB), made important statements within the scope of the 26th June Anti-Drug Addiction and Anti-Trafficking Day. Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy said, "Instead of punishing addicts with imprisonment, alternative solutions should be produced and care should be taken to ensure that the punishments to be given are proportional to the crime" and emphasized that every addicted individual has the right to treatment, rehabilitation and aftercare.
Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy, Vice Rector of Üsküdar University and member of the United Nations Drug Control Board (INCB), made important evaluations within the scope of the 26th June Anti-Drug Addiction and Anti-Trafficking Day.
Injustices affect millions of people
"This year, on June 26th, the global theme is 'Health for Justice, Justice for Health'. In this way, attention will be drawn to the indispensability of justice for the health of all citizens of the world, especially children, women, the elderly and the disabled." said Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy,
"It is clear that substance abusers as well as drug dealers need justice. Disproportionate sentences, extrajudicial executions, obstacles to treatment and social integration, legal and social stigmatization affect millions of people."
"Extrajudicial execution is a violation of human rights"
Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy noted that international conventions stipulate that substance addicts should be treated with respect for human rights and dignity,
"Similarly, the penalties must be proportionate to the nature of the offense. Extrajudicial killings in drug-related crimes, whether carried out by state officials or encouraged by them, are a violation of human rights, contrary to conventions and absolutely unacceptable. Those who commit such unlawful acts of violence against drug addicts and dealers must be investigated and prosecuted."
Alternative solutions should be produced for addicts
"Instead of punishing addicts with imprisonment, alternative solutions should be developed and it should be ensured that the penalties to be imposed are proportionate to the crime," he said and concluded his words as follows:
"The fact that some countries punish substance addicts with death penalty raises concerns and regulations should be made in line with international developments.
"Every addicted individual has the right to treatment, rehabilitation and aftercare"
A just society is one that values the health of even its most marginalized members. In line with international conventions, every addicted person has the right to treatment, rehabilitation and aftercare. Their reintegration into society must be ensured and stigmatization must be avoided. The independent, quasi-judicial United Nations Drug Control Board, which since 1961 has been mandated to monitor the implementation by governments of the three core conventions on the fight against drugs, will continue to encourage and support anti-drug policies that place the health and well-being of the individual at the center."