Legal minds demand new drugs policy respectful of human rights
More than 550 Argentine magistrates, judges and lawyers will call for wholesale reforms based on human rights
Monday, August 29, 2016
Introducing a declaration endorsed by 250 magistrates and 300 legal experts, an Argentine civil society organization dealing with criminal law (Asociación Pensamiento Penal) asks for a modification to the national drugs law 23.737, which still allows for the criminalization of possession for personal consumption. The new push coincides with the 30-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s landmark "Bazterrica" ruling. They call on the government are seeking a fresh approach, which includes decriminalization, the end of forced anti-drug treatment and the creation of policies focused on harm reduction.