Conference: Nordic Mobilization on Human Rights and Drug Policy

When:
09:00 –Doors Open & Registration
10:00 – Program Starts

Where:
Sentralen,
Øvre Slottsgate 3, Oslo, Norway

What:
A landmark conference launching a new Nordic Network of Drug User Organizations with significant allies, dedicated to advancing human rights-based drug policy.

Why:
With shrinking civic space, weakening human rights, and the rise of organized crime, the Nordic countries are at a crossroads. This conference brings together people who use drugs, human rights defenders, researchers, and policymakers to forge shared strategies rooted in core Nordic Values: Democracy, freedom of speech, mutual respect and trust.

Key Themes:

• Human rights and social justice in drug policy
• Legal regulation as a tool to dismantle organized and cross-border crime
• Amplifying civil society’s voice through Nordic cross-border cooperation

We are honored that the Mayor of Oslo, Anne Lindboe, will give the opening speech and welcome the conference participants.

Organizers:
The Association for Humane Drug Policy, Norway, (FHR) and 7 partner organizations from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland.

Supported by:
Nordic Council of Ministers (DEMOS program)

About the Conference

Nordic Mobilization on Human Rights and Drug Policy is a landmark gathering convened to address the critical intersection of human rights, democracy, and drug policy in the Nordic region. Taking place against a backdrop of rising authoritarianism and shrinking civil society space, this conference serves as a strategic response to the growing threats posed by organized crime and the erosion of the rule of law.

The Context: A Critical Juncture The Nordic region faces a paradox: despite our strong welfare states, we are witnessing a concerning trend where international institutions and legal frameworks are under pressure. Simultaneously, a dramatic decline in global funding for civil society—exacerbated by the winding down of major donors like USAID and a shift toward domestic priorities—is creating a dangerous vacuum. This void threatens to reverse decades of progress, leading to increased rates of HIV, Hepatitis C, and other public health crises that will inevitably impact the Nordics.

Furthermore, organized crime has evolved into a direct threat to democracy. International criminal networks generate enormous revenues from illegal drug markets, funds that fuel violence, corrupt the legal economy and real estate markets, and undermine trust in the state. In this geopolitical climate, drug policy risks being sidelined, despite its profound impact on nearly every sector of society.

Our Mission This conference aims to break through polarization and initiate an open, evidence-based dialogue on responsible regulation and sustainable drug policy. Anchored in human rights and guided by shared Nordic values, we seek to move the conversation from ideological trenches to the decision-making rooms where policies are shaped.

Aligned with the calls from Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, we advocate for a transformative approach that includes:

• Exploring decriminalization to reduce stigma and improve health outcomes.
• Implementing responsible regulation to dismantle the financial power of criminal networks.
• Strengthening civil society as a pillar of democracy.

The Outcome: A New Nordic Network A central outcome of this gathering will be the official launch of the New Nordic Network on Drug Policy. This coalition will unite eight organizations from five Nordic countries to foster cross-border collaboration, share best practices, and advocate for a unified, human rights-based approach to drug policy across the region.

Supported by the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Demos funding program, this event is not just a discussion—it is a mobilization to protect our democracies, safeguard public health, and uphold the dignity of every citizen.