Trump to Host UN Meeting on Drug Policy, Promising “Photo Op” for Countries that Rally Behind Him and the Drug War

On September 24, Trump will kick off his appearance at the United Nations General Assembly by hosting an event on “The World Drug Problem,” at which UN Member States can pose for a photo with Trump before he gives remarks. The event is tied to “The Global Call to Action on the World Drug Problem,” a document that the United States Mission to the United Nations has been circulating to governments to sign. If countries sign on to the document – the text of which “is not open for negotiation” – they are promised an invitation to the September 24 event and an opportunity to “participate in a group photo” with Trump. 

Statement by Hannah Hetzer, Senior International Policy Manager at the Drug Policy Alliance: 

“This Global Call to Action is a unilateral move orchestrated by the US government that shows utter disregard for multilateralism and regular UN processes of negotiation and consensus. This is clearly an example of Trump attempting to wade into the international drug policy debate and create a splashy camera-ready opportunity, carefully orchestrated to create the appearance of support from dozens of other countries.

President Trump is the last person who should be defining the global debate on drug policy. From his support of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s brutal drug war to his call for the death penalty for people who sell drugs, Trump has shown complete disdain for human rights and international law. Governments should be very wary of signing on to this document and showing up for the photo op at Trump’s event.”

Read Hannah’s blog to learn more about this event.