Download PDF Human Rights and Drug Control The False Dichotomy Studies in International Law Saul Takahashi 9781509926435 Books
Download As PDF : Human Rights and Drug Control The False Dichotomy Studies in International Law Saul Takahashi 9781509926435 Books
It has become almost accepted knowledge within international policy circles that efforts against drug trafficking and drug abuse violate human rights, and that the entire international drug control regime needs to be changed (or even discarded altogether) to adopt a more 'rights respecting' approach. Though this view has been promoted by many prominent figures and organisations, the author of this book uses his expertise in both human rights and drug control to show that the arguments advanced in this area do not stand close scrutiny. The arguments are in fact based on selective and questionable interpretations of international human rights standards, and on a general notion - more and more clearly stated - that there is a human right to take drugs, and that any effort to combat drug abuse by definition violates this right. There is no such right in international law, and the author objects to the misuse of human rights language as a marketing tool to bring about a 'back door' legalisation of drugs. Human rights issues must be addressed, but that in no way means that the international drug control regime must be discarded, or that efforts against drugs must be stopped.
Download PDF Human Rights and Drug Control The False Dichotomy Studies in International Law Saul Takahashi 9781509926435 Books
"The book is basically a polemic: an argument for the proposition that Drug Control does not necessarily conflict with human rights, and that the people who say it does are distorting both the facts and the arguments.  In the course of making this argument, the author covers the elements of the drug control and human rights regimes, starting with developments in the early 20th century and then focussing on developments after WWII.  As for the interaction of these two regimes, the author identifies them as beginning about 20 years ago, when human rights ideas began to be seen as conflicting with drug control  principles.  The author then identifies the various international bodies and interest groups dealing with these issues, and distinguishes the various terms which are often confused in the discussion:  legalization vs. decriminalization vs. depenalization.  Each of these terms relates to a different approach to drug control, and each of them has a different projection on the plane of human rights.
The author's presentation of the wide range of arguments for and against radically altering the existing drug control regimes, is impressively well-informed. Â And while the author is obviously philosophically sophisticated, his book has a deliberately journalistic feel to it which makes us feel that we are dealing with real issues here and not just with quasi-religious disputations about rights and ideals. Â The writing is charming and fast-paced, and rhetorically persuasive. Â This is also a beautifully produced book, with a helpful Index. Â This book could well be used as a text in any course in international law because in its less than 200 pages, the reader is given a thoughtful introduction to fundamental aspects of international law and practice. Â "
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Tags : Human Rights and Drug Control The False Dichotomy (Studies in International Law) [Saul Takahashi] on . It has become almost accepted knowledge within international policy circles that efforts against drug trafficking and drug abuse violate human rights,Saul Takahashi,Human Rights and Drug Control The False Dichotomy (Studies in International Law),Hart Publishing,1509926437,LAW / Civil Rights,LAW / Drugs the Law,LAW / International,Law,Law/Civil Rights,Law/Criminal Law - General,Law/Drugs the Law,Non-Fiction,POLITICAL SCIENCE / Human Rights,Political Science/Human Rights,TEXT
Human Rights and Drug Control The False Dichotomy Studies in International Law Saul Takahashi 9781509926435 Books Reviews :
Human Rights and Drug Control The False Dichotomy Studies in International Law Saul Takahashi 9781509926435 Books Reviews
- The book is basically a polemic an argument for the proposition that Drug Control does not necessarily conflict with human rights, and that the people who say it does are distorting both the facts and the arguments.  In the course of making this argument, the author covers the elements of the drug control and human rights regimes, starting with developments in the early 20th century and then focussing on developments after WWII.  As for the interaction of these two regimes, the author identifies them as beginning about 20 years ago, when human rights ideas began to be seen as conflicting with drug control  principles.  The author then identifies the various international bodies and interest groups dealing with these issues, and distinguishes the various terms which are often confused in the discussion  legalization vs. decriminalization vs. depenalization.  Each of these terms relates to a different approach to drug control, and each of them has a different projection on the plane of human rights.
The author's presentation of the wide range of arguments for and against radically altering the existing drug control regimes, is impressively well-informed. Â And while the author is obviously philosophically sophisticated, his book has a deliberately journalistic feel to it which makes us feel that we are dealing with real issues here and not just with quasi-religious disputations about rights and ideals. Â The writing is charming and fast-paced, and rhetorically persuasive. Â This is also a beautifully produced book, with a helpful Index. Â This book could well be used as a text in any course in international law because in its less than 200 pages, the reader is given a thoughtful introduction to fundamental aspects of international law and practice. Â
