INPUD, AfricaNPUD and WRADA were represented by some of our amazing community leaders in Geneva this week to speak up for people who use drugs. Aditia Taslim, Ahmed Said and Rita Gatonye (respectively) cut the charismatic swathe our community is known for as “The Amazing Three”, as they presented our issues at a scheduled session of Member States and in several meetings with delegates at the UN Human Rights Spaces aka the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).
With much-appreciated support from Love Alliance, along with a contribution from INPUD, WRADA spearheaded the drug user delegation with the development and submission of a shadow report to the UPR. We are proud to report that this is the first ever shadow report developed by and in consultation with people who use drugs in Kenya.
Our networks’ engagement at the UPR Pre-Session in Geneva from 18-21 February 2025 has involved advocating around issues experienced by people who use drugs in Kenya and providing recommendations to Member States in the lead up to the 49th UPR Working Group session that will take place some time in April or May this year. The trio met with missions from Czechia, Mexico, Chile, Switzerland, Portugal, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the European Union.
Rita Gatonye from WRADA delivered her intervention during an informal dialogue with the EU mission and Member States, highlighting the urgent need to prioritise the issues related to drug policies and the criminalisation of people who use drugs within the UN Human Rights mechanisms.
Rita Gatonye (WRADA), Aditia Taslim (INPUD) and Ahmed Said (AfricaNPUD)
Aditia Taslim (INPUD), Rita Gatonye (WRADA) and Ahmed Said (AfricaNPUD)