Staff Writer
The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission continues to monitor the protection, promotion and enjoyment of human rights in the context of the ravaging new Corona virus strain and acknowledges efforts by the Government to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic through various restrictive measures including promulgation of Statutory Instrument (S.I) 198 of 2021 Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) (No.2) (Amendment) Order, 2021(No.30).
The S.I. stipulates restrictive measures to be followed and maintains the strict Level 4 lockdown to curtail the surge of COVID -19 cases which has been attributed to ‘general complacency in adhering to set protocols” by the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
“As such, it is the obligation of the duty bearers to ensure that its citizens are protected especially during public health emergencies.
“The ZHRC commends the GoZ for the COVID-19 vaccination roll out programme which, was initially met with resistance in some quarters but has gradually been embraced by the generality of citizens and commended by the World Health Organisation as a well-coordinated programme,” ZHRC said.
“The Commission acknowledges the initiative of testing and vaccinating frontline workers. However, a number of media platforms have raised concerns of corporations directly coercing employees to undergo vaccination, disregarding the employees’ freedom of choice, integrity of the person, right to dignity and existence of underlying medical conditions.
“Some public institutions and private companies are allegedly prohibiting unvaccinated employees access to their premises or workstations and others are purportedly having their salaries deducted. 2 While the ZHRC is aware that vaccination is for the general protection of the individual’s rights to health and life, the GoZ is urged to continue encouraging citizens to consider being vaccinated since vaccination is both a personal and national responsibility for the protection of personal health as well as the health of others.”
ZHRC said It was the duty of the Government to balance the need for increased vaccination so as to reach herd immunity with freedom of choice.
“The GoZ has taken a commendable policy position to allow free choice by individuals with regards to uptake of the COVID – 19 vaccines.
“It is therefore important for all stakeholders to avoid any coercive measures that directly or indirectly compel people to get vaccinated against their choice.
“It is important to be guided by the World Health Organisation (WHO) guiding principles which posit that vaccination programmes must not be made compulsory but should be a matter of choice.
“The ZHRC is concerned about the non-accessibility of the vaccines in some areas and urges that efforts be made to ensure that the vaccines are availed within close proximity to the general populace especially in the rural periphery. The proximity of healthcare facilities from communities remains a concern and the ZHRC proposes that the vaccine be brought closer to the marginalised communities to ensure that more people are vaccinated.”
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