Introduction

doi:10.1017/9781009513555.004

1 - Introduction

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 August 2025

Mai Sato ,

Wing-Cheong Chan and

Edited by

Mai Sato and

Wing-Cheong Chan: Affiliation:
Singapore Management University
Mai Sato: Affiliation:
Birkbeck, University of London
Michael Hor: Affiliation:
The University of Hong Kong

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Summary

Over 60 years have passed since the initiation of the 1961 UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. It is widely accepted among drug policy experts that the global war on illicit drugs has failed, with devastating consequences for individuals and societies around the world. Various countries have moved away from a drug policy based on criminal punishment to a harm reduction approach - but others continue to pursue a punitive drug policy, including the use of the death penalty for drug-related activities. Despite the UN Human Rights Committee taking the position that the death penalty is only permissible for the ‘most serious crimes’, defined as intentional killing, 34 countries retain the death penalty for a range of drug offences. This chapter outlines the change in drug policy at the UN level as well as developments at the country level.

Keywords

UN Conventions ‘war on drugs’International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights decriminalisation death penalty Asia

Information

Type: Chapter
Information: Capital Drug Laws in Asia , pp. 1 - 18

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009513555.004 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2025

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