Forced vaccination is not admissible “under any circumstances”, says United Nations
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Compulsory vaccination “must always respect human rights and forcing it is not acceptable,” considered this Wednesday by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet.
“Under no circumstances do people have to be forcibly vaccinated, although if a person refuses to comply with the obligation to be vaccinated, there may be legal consequences, such as an appropriate fine,” Bachelet said in a video message.
Bachelet warned that important rights considerations must be considered before making vaccination mandatory.
“It must comply with the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality, and non-discrimination,” she explained, according to a transcript of her remarks during a Human Rights Council seminar.
The High Commissioner said the objectives pursued by countries considering making the vaccine mandatory to fight the pandemic were “of course, of the highest level of legitimacy and importance.”
But she insisted that “mandatory vaccination should only be used when necessary to achieve compelling public health objectives.”
“And only when less intrusive measures, such as wearing face masks and social distancing, fail to meet those public health objectives.”
Bachelet also emphasized that for the obligation to be “in accordance with the fundamental human rights principles of equality and non-discrimination,” countries have to ensure the supply of vaccines and that they are genuinely affordable, as well as being sufficiently safe and effective,” she added.
Bachelet also explained that it might be appropriate to restrict certain rights and freedoms, including access to hospitals and schools, for unvaccinated people.
Looking ahead, Bachelet said that any compulsory vaccination “should be subject to frequent official review to ensure that it remains necessary, proportionate and non-discriminatory.”
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