New Pandemic Treaty and amendments to WHO International Health Regulations   |27 February 2024

ARID calls on government to make known its stance

The Association for Rights, Information and Democracy (ARID) is calling on the government to confirm to the people of Seychelles its position on the proposed new pandemic treaty and amendments to the International Health Regulations, as it is the people’s right to know.

“Many citizens have expressed their disbelief and disappointment following a recent interview where the Minister for Health has indicated that the government of Seychelles will support the pandemic treaty.

“ARID is strongly against such decision. ARID recognises the necessity to have an effective agreement to strengthen global pandemic prevention, preparedness and response but it should not be at the detriment of our sovereignty and against the democratic and human rights principles.

“The other controversial proposal is the amendments to the International Health Regulations which was adopted in 1948 which governs international movement of people, and goods, including travel restriction, vaccination and quarantine.

“The proposed amendments will increase the WHO’s power and its structure in such a way that it will violate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and furthermore supersedes states sovereignty supposedly in the name of health matters and pandemic prevention.

“We have seen recently how the government has been taking sensitive and controversial positions (eg: multinational security initiative for the Red Sea, Pandemic treaty) without informing the public and concealing information on such important and sensitive matters from its citizens, only to come later for damage control in the state media.

“This goes against the democratic values and Chapter III article 28 of our Constitution.

ARID is calling on the government to inform the public in the shortest delay of time if Seychelles will accept and vote in favour of the two proposed WHO documents.

“ARID is strongly against both the new pandemic treaty and the proposed amendments to the WHO International Health Regulations due to its direct infringement on our country’s sovereignty and human rights.

“ARID calls on all NGOs and concerned citizens who are against the Pandemic Treaty and the proposed amendments to join hands in protesting against the government’s decision in supporting and accepting the two documents.”

Press release from ARID

Disclaimer:

The views expressed in the above press release are those of ARID and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Seychelles NATION newspaper.