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Protocol for exclusion: why COVID-19 vaccine “passports” threaten human rights

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  • Protocol for exclusion: why COVID-19 vaccine “passports” threaten human rights

    Governments are clamoring to explore digital COVID-19 vaccine “passports.” Current proposals, however, threaten human rights.

    Protocol for exclusion: why COVID-19 vaccine “passports” threaten human rights
    23 April 2021 | 4:00 am

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    As the global COVID-19 vaccine rollout gains momentum, governments from Bahrain to Denmark are clamoring to implement measures to help the world return to pre-virus normality. This includes exploring digital vaccine certificates — or COVID-19 vaccine “passports” — that would record and authenticate a person’s vaccination status. Current proposals, however, threaten human rights by creating space for exclusion and discrimination to flourish, and posing serious long-term threats to the privacy and security of millions of people across the globe. To help inform decision-makers — including governments evaluating proposals, private sector actors supporting the global vaccination effort, and experts formulating public health guidance — and ensure human rights are at the core of any new digital vaccine system, Access Now is launching Protocol for exclusion: why COVID-19 vaccine “passports” threaten human rights.
    “COVID-19 is a disease that targets, isolates, and disproportionately affects those already most at risk. A COVID-19 vaccine ‘passport’ that does the same is no solution to combating this unwaning global pandemic,” said Verónica Arroyo, Policy Associate – Latin America at Access Now. “Governments must design and implement systems that put people first, supporting vaccine rollouts rather than contributing to a world where people are split between haves and havenots.”
    From inadequate health care access, to increased economic instability, COVID-19 has imposed the highest toll on individuals and communities already marginalized and underserved. Further risks of exclusion and discrimination, and threats to privacy and security include:
    • Unequal access to vaccines: Creating divides within and between nations, some countries have secured vaccines for their entire population, others have a partial supply, and many have no vaccination programs in sight.
    • Restrictions to freedom of movement and access to services: Digital vaccine certificates could form the basis of access or denial from international travel or, in the cases of Israel and Denmark, potentially deny or grant access to domestic services and spaces.
    • Mass collection and processing of health data: Any system would require the collection of personal information, putting individuals’ privacy at risk, and must be protected.
    • Entrenchment and proliferation of centralized digital identity systems: Centralized systems carry risks of surveillance, profiling, exclusion, privacy violations, and cybersecurity threats.
    “Governments across the globe are rushing to implement new technologies as the catch-all solution for returning to a post-pandemic normal. But in their haste, many have dismissed or ignored the risks of these fast-tracked tools, including digital vaccine certificates,” said Carolyn Tackett, Deputy Advocacy Director at Access Now. “Policymakers, corporations, and developers must all put these potential dangers front and center and actively work to prevent them.”
    From the African Union to the European Union, this new report explores and evaluates the human rights impacts of current digital identity programs, biometrics, and early proposals for digital health certificates, as a foundation for any future global mechanisms.
    The following infographic of recommendations is generated in Infogram. You can also click here to read it.

    _____________________________________________

    Ask Congress to Investigate COVID Origins and Government Response to Pandemic.

    i love myself. the quietest. simplest. most powerful. revolution ever. ---- nayyirah waheed

    "...there’s an obvious contest that’s happening between different sectors of the colonial ruling class in this country. And they would, if they could, lump us into their beef, their struggle." ---- Omali Yeshitela, African People’s Socialist Party

    (My posts are not intended as advice or professional assessments of any kind.)
    Never forget Excalibur.

  • #2

    Controversial new human rights boss warns government about vaccine mandates


    Australia’s controversial new human rights boss has made some interesting comments about the nation’s vaccine rules.

    Helena Burke
    2 min read
    November 24, 2021 - 6:52PM
    ...

    The controversial new boss of the Australian Human Rights Commission has issued a surprising warning to the government about Covid-19 vaccine mandates and the anti-vaxxers who oppose them.

    Lorraine Finlay’s new appointment to the Human Rights Commission has received significant backlash, with several sexual assault advocates and shadow politicians slamming her selection.

    Ms Finlay finally broke her silence on Wednesday to deliver a surprising message about Covid-19 vaccine requirements to Australian law-makers.

    Speaking to 6PR radio, the new Commissioner warned the government IT needed to “be careful” when imposing broad vaccine mandates across the country.

    “While on the one hand, governments absolutely can limit rights in order to protect public health, those ... always need to be justified, non discriminatory and proportionate,” Ms Finlay said.

    It is a really fine line. And it’s an important balance to be struck.”...
    _____________________________________________

    Ask Congress to Investigate COVID Origins and Government Response to Pandemic.

    i love myself. the quietest. simplest. most powerful. revolution ever. ---- nayyirah waheed

    "...there’s an obvious contest that’s happening between different sectors of the colonial ruling class in this country. And they would, if they could, lump us into their beef, their struggle." ---- Omali Yeshitela, African People’s Socialist Party

    (My posts are not intended as advice or professional assessments of any kind.)
    Never forget Excalibur.

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