Distinguished members of the Council,

HRI and the co-signatories below welcome the report of the Special Rapporteur, Morris Tidball-Binz, and his analysis on the devastating -often overlooked- impact of the death penalty for drug offences on the families of those on death row.

By definition, the death penalty for drug offences is arbitrary. It does not meet the international legal threshold of the “most serious crimes.” Yet, executions for drug offences are rising. In 2024 alone, HRI recorded 615 drug-related executions—a 32% increase from the previous year. These accounted for around 40% of all confirmed executions globally. Over 2,000 people remain on death row for drug offences.

The suffering caused by these executions extends far beyond the individuals sentenced. Families are left in anguish—often without notice of the execution and denied final visits. As noted by the Special Rapporteur, this suffering can amount to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment under international law.

Abolition efforts must centre the rights of families. They must be guaranteed access to timely and complete information, visits, including final visit prior to execution, and basic dignity.

We call on all the international community to strongly condemn the use of the death penalty for drug offences and call on its abolition, support practices aimed at limiting its use, and make sure that safeguards implemented guarantee access to fair trial and due process and protect families’ rights.

Thank you.

Co-signatories:

Harm Reduction International

European Saudi Organization for Human Rights

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO)

ECPM (Together against the death penalty)

Advocates for Human Rights

Anti-Death Penalty Asian Network (ADPAN)