A/HRC/31/45 they were mindful of human rights. It was also important to monitor the proportionality of sentences for drug-related crimes and efforts to limit the spread of diseases by drug users. She called for flexibility in the application of the conventions on drugs. She also stated that the participation of civil society was essential to ensure a better protection of human rights in drug policies and noted that it was especially important for those who were directly affected by such policies to be involved. 10