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News24 reports that according to the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), a general law mandating Covid-19 vaccination in SA would not necessarily be a human rights infringement.
In a statement, the SAHRC advised that a general law compelling South Africans to get vaccinated would be constitutionally sound under the right circumstances. However, the commission also called on the government to explore all options to encourage voluntary vaccination first. There has been extensive public debate around mandatory vaccination, and the government has said vaccine certificates will be rolled out soon. "For many, the question is whether compelling a person to take the Covid-19 vaccination would violate human rights entrenched in our Constitution," the SAHRC noted. The Constitution protects several individual rights, including the right to health, life, freedom of religion, a healthy environment and freedom and security of person. However, it also provides for the Bill of Rights to be subject to limitations "Given that the pandemic is an existential crisis that affects all human beings and implicates both rights and responsibilities, it is highly likely that a general law mandating vaccination will pass constitutional muster," the commission opined. This meant it would be "constitutionally permissible" to require people to vaccinate "provided that this is done in accordance with the processes stipulated in the Constitution", it advised.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nicole McCain at News24
- Lees ook, Verpligte inenting moet ‘laaste uitweg’ wees – MRK, by Maroela Media
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page