This report submitted to the Human Rights Council by the Special Rapporteur on Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment focuses on abuses carried out in health care settings. Of note is his assessment of drug detention centers and how these facilities frequently contravene the prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. He notes the UNODC and other international donor groups continue to fund such facilities with insufficient oversight (para 40-44). Additionally he submits the denial of treatment to drug users amounts to ill-treatment and in some cases, torture. (para 72-74). The report calls upon States to review their support of drug detention facilities and to implement more effective oversight mechanisms to ensure human rights protections for vulnerable populations including drug users in incarceration. (para 87)
See press release from Human Rights Watch for further commentary and analysis here.
Citation: Juan E. Méndez. 'Report of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment' (HRC/22/53) 2013