Vienna International Centre
PO Box 500, 1400 Vienna, Austria
Tel: (+43-1) 26060-4666
Fax: (+43-1) 26060-5899
Email: unis@unvienna.org
http://www.unis.unvienna.org
UNIS/NAR/1199
5 March 2014
INCB encourages States to consider the abolition of the death
penalty for drug-related offences
VIENNA, 5 March (UN Information Service) – “Member states are encouraged to consider abolishing
the death penalty for drug-related offences”, says Raymond Yans, President of the International
Narcotics Control Board (INCB), which recently discussed the issue of the imposition of the death
penalty for drug-related offences.
INCB reiterates its position highlighted in its Annual Report for 2003 which stated that “Capital
punishment is neither encouraged nor prohibited by the international drug control conventions, which
do not refer to it under provisions relating to penalties. Under the United Nations standards and norms
in criminal justice, States are encouraged to avoid using the death penalty.” INCB also notes that
under the international drug control conventions, the determination of specific sanctions applicable to
drug-related offences remains the prerogative of the State Parties.
INCB’s position takes into account the relevant international conventions and protocols, and
resolutions of the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and UN bodies pertaining to
the death penalty. INCB encourages those State Parties that still provide for the death penalty for
drug-related offences in their national legislation and continue to impose it to consider the abolition of
the death penalty for drug-related offences.
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INCB is the independent, quasi-judicial body charged with promoting and monitoring Government
compliance with the three international drug control conventions: the 1961 Single Convention on
Narcotic Drugs, the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the 1988 Convention against
Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
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For further information, please contact:
INCB Secretariat
Telephone for media inquiries: (+43-1) 26060 4163
Email: secretariat[at]incb.org
Website: www.incb.org
For information only – not an official document
