INCB congratulates Afghanistan on its accession to the 1972 Protocol amending the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs
The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) has congratulated the Government of Afghanistan on the country's recent accession to the 1972 Protocol amending the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. In accordance with article 18 (2) of the 1972 Protocol, the Protocol will enter into force in Afghanistan on 21 March 2015.
INCB has noted this as an indication of the Government's commitment towards the comprehensive implementation of the international drug control treaties. The Board expects that the ratification of this instrument by the Government of Afghanistan will be followed by the further development and implementation of legislative, regulatory and policy measures which would form the basis of a balanced response to the challenges of drug trafficking and abuse in the country.
The Board encouraged the Government of Afghanistan to continue its drug control efforts and to ensure that further progress is made in its compliance with the provisions of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, as amended by the 1972 Protocol. To that end, the Board drew the attention of the Government of Afghanistan to certain important provisions introduced by the 1972 Protocol, such as the need for treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts, measures to seize and destroy illicitly cultivated plants as well as allowing for treatment, rehabilitation, education and social reintegration as an alternative, or in addition to conviction or punishment for drug users.
In its
annual reports, INCB has reiterated the importance of universal application of the international drug control treaties and has urged those States that have not yet done so to take the steps necessary to accede to all three international drug control treaties without delay.
As the quasi-judicial, treaty-based body mandated to monitor compliance with the three international drug control conventions, INCB maintains an ongoing dialogue with Governments with a view to improving drug control efforts and implementation of the conventions.