Amnesty’s petition point by point
“Amnesty International does not support the mandates of compulsory vaccination generalized and urges states to consider any mandatory vaccination requirements only as a last resort and if they are strictly in line with international human rights standards. “
“Amnesty International Italia calls for alternative measures to be envisaged – such as the use of protective and test devices COVID-19 – to allow the non-vaccinated population to continue to carry out their work and to use means of transport, without discrimination “.
“Another fundamental right that must be protected is the right of peaceful demonstration. Even if to date there has been no effective compression following the directive of the Minister of the Interior of November 2021[2], Amnesty International Italy will continue to claim the right to peacefully manifest forms of dissent and to guarantee the right to report on information operators, denouncing any act of aggression or unjustified violence against them “.
These are the two key points of the position of Amnesty International Italy on the measures taken by the government to combat covid-19.
The full text of the petition
The recent appearance of the Omicron variant is a clear reminder of what happens when we fail to put human rights at the forefront of all efforts to tackle the pandemic. Amnesty International continues to reiterate the need for that states fulfill their human rights obligations in order to promote a fair and global distribution of vaccines to counter the emergence of dangerous variants that continue to put the lives of many at risk.
In September 2021 Amnesty International launched the “100 Day Countdown: 2 billion vaccines now!” to ask states and pharmaceutical companies to ensure equal access to Covid-19 vaccines so that at least 40% of people in low- and middle-income countries could be vaccinated by the end of 2021. This target has not been achieved.
From the beginning of the answer to the pandemic, the national sections of Amnesty International, together with the organization’s International Secretariat, monitored the development and implementation of public health measures adopted by individual states.
With reference to the Italian context, Amnesty International Italy continues to urge the government to anchor its interventions to the principles of legality, legitimacy, necessity, proportionality and non-discrimination. Furthermore, any public health policy must be based on the most up-to-date and verifiable scientific evidence, motivated by proven objective reasons and accompanied by clear and transparent methods of communication.
Necessity, proportionality and temporality
The national state of emergency in force in Italy for almost two years and which has recently been extended until March 31, 2022 by decree-law 221/2021, is not provided for by the Constitution but has a legal basis in legislative decree 1/2018, in which it is expected that the cabinet may decide on a state of emergency of national importance upon the occurrence of certain events, notwithstanding any provision in force. Amnesty International Italia urges the government to carefully reconsider whether to extend the measure beyond March 31, 2022, as all emergency measures must respond to the principles of necessity, temporariness and proportionality. Furthermore, Amnesty International Italia urges the Italian authorities – primarily the government, theAifa, the Higher Institute of Health and Civil Protection – to promote clear and inclusive forms of communication to guarantee the population the adoption of responsible behaviors for the protection of collective safety and to follow public health guidelines. The human rights organization appreciates the constant monitoring of the progress of the epidemic, as shown, for example, by the latest national update published on 7 January 2022 by the Istituto Superiore di Sanità[1].
Access to Covid-19 vaccines and mandatory vaccination
Amnesty International’s campaign to extend access to Covid-19 vaccines for all people, regardless of who they are and where they live, is an important way to protect people’s right to health and ensure protection from COVID-19. Having access to accurate, timely and accessible information is also a crucial component of the right to health, so that individuals can make informed decisions about their health. While recognizing the legitimate concern of states to increase vaccination rates as part of an effective public health response to Covid-19, Amnesty International does not support generalized mandatory vaccination mandates and urges states to consider any mandatory vaccination requirements only as a last resort and if they are strictly in line with international human rights standards.
While arguing that states should focus on increasing voluntary vaccine adherence, Amnesty International recognizes that there are some limited exceptions that may allow states to enforce vaccination obligations, as long as these requirements meet the principles of legality, legitimacy, necessity, proportionality and non-discrimination. This means that there are cases where the vaccination requirement may be justified, as long as it is established by law, deemed necessary and proportionate to a legitimate purpose related to the protection of public health, and provides safeguards and monitoring mechanisms to ensure that these requirements do not result in human rights violations. Additionally, all states must ensure that any proposed vaccination obligations are targeted, time-limited, and adopted only as a last resort. It also needs to be accompanied by evidence-based logic that explains why the goal cannot be achieved with less restrictive measures.
The Green Pass strengthened
As for the recently approved reinforced Green Pass, it must be a time-limited device and the government must continue to ensure that the entire population can enjoy their basic rights, such as the right to education, work and care. with particular attention to non-Covid patients who need urgent interventions and should not be penalized.
In any case, Amnesty International Italia calls for alternative measures – such as the use of protective devices and Covid-19 tests – to allow the non-vaccinated population to continue to carry out their work and use means of transport. , without discrimination.
The right of peaceful demonstration
Another fundamental right that must be protected is the right of peaceful demonstration. Even if to date there has been no actual compression following the directive of the Minister of the Interior of November 2021[2], Amnesty International Italy will continue to claim the right to peacefully manifest forms of dissent and to guarantee the right to report on information operators, denouncing any act of aggression or unjustified violence against them.
[1] https://www.epicentro.iss.it/coronavirus/bollettino/Bollettino-soruardia-integrata-COVID-19_5-gennaio-2022.pdf
[2] See Directive no. 11001/110 (32) containing indications on the conduct of protests against anti-COVID-19 health measures
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