Human rights bodies in the country have strongly spoken against intentions by government to make Covid19 vaccination mandatory.
Last week, the presidential task force on Covid-19, re-enforced preventive measures against the further spread of the pandemic- which include plans to make mandatory inoculation of the Covid-19 jabs in certain categories of people.
According to Co, chairperson of the task force, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, Civil Servants, journalists are among those groups that will be subjected to mandatory Covid-19 vaccination come January, next year.
However, civil rights campaigner Sylvester Namiwa Executive Director for Center for Democracy and Economic Development Initiative CDEDI has described as violation of human rights.
In a statement, Namiwa says people have the right to choose life with the vaccine and without the vaccine, therefore it should not be forced on people.
“CDEDI strongly believes that Malawians have a right to freely choose life and go for the vaccine, while others can also choose life by deciding not to take the jab. It should not be a compulsory affair.” reads part of the statement.
CDEDI has also noted with concern over the act of some employers who are said to allegedly use trucks to ferry their employees to various vaccination centers to have their workers vaccinated, saying forcing someone to get the jab is a total violation of human rights and is also against the Employment Act.
Meanwhile, Malawi Human Rights Commission MHRC has also faulted government for intending to make the Covid-19 jabs mandatory, saying it’s a total violation of human rights.
This is included in a statement signed by Louis Scader- Chairperson for MHRC, dated December, 21.
MHCR, is of the view that, mandatory vaccination can only be considered when the voluntary approach has failed- which is not the case currently.
Meanwhile, the leadership of CDEDI has appealed to well-wishers to join hands in moving the courts to stop the effectiveness of the mandatory Covid-19 vaccination.
*Additional reporting by Chisomo Chimenya