Covid-19: No pandemic treaty signed
HDL ‘ready to defend’ Namibians’ rights
The pandemic pointed out clear gaps that are not fully covered by international health regulations, Nangombe said.
No representative of the Namibian government has signed or ratified a 'pandemic treaty' because it does not exist yet.
This according to health ministry executive director Ben Nangombe, who referred instead to a milestone decision taken during a special session of the World Health Assembly last December to establish an intergovernmental negotiating body (INB) for the preparation, management and prevention of pandemics.
Nangombe’s statement comes after public concerns were raised around a plot to devise strategies to deal with future pandemics.
Last week, the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) implored government to ensure that any new world health pandemic agreement and/or international health regulations (IHRs) are submitted to the National Assembly and National Council for ratification.
“The IHR amendments and the pandemic preparedness treaty seek to diminish our sovereignty and democratic rights. The sovereignty of Namibia is not negotiable,” the union said.
According to Nangombe, however, the INB has not yet officially determined the type of legal document that will result from this.
The body has also not yet identified the elements member states like Namibia want to include. Currently, IHRs are the only international instrument for preparing and responding to health emergencies.
Clear gaps
However, according to Nangombe, the Covid-19 pandemic pointed out clear gaps that are not fully covered by IHRs.
These include vulnerable people who have to make do without basic resources such as personal protective equipment, face masks, ventilators and medical oxygen, while rich countries accumulate substances and place the protection of their inhabitants first.
"The world has been confronted with a 'me first’ approach that has hampered the solidarity needed for a global threat such as Covid-19," the executive director said.
He stressed that Namibia, as a sovereign member of the World Health Organisation (WHO), reserves the right to reject or question any amendments, in line with Article 22 of the WHO constitution and its laws.
According to him, Namibia was one of several countries that asked for more time to discuss targeted amendments to IHRs. A working group will now be established in this regard to discuss and make proposals. The closing date for submitting proposals is 30 September.
He stressed the acceptance of any treaty or convention is subject to the country's national legislative processes.
‘Intense involvement’
Nangombe further mentioned a petition addressed to, among others, the ministry, members of the National Assembly and the Prime Minister on the issue, in which various objections were raised against the WHO decision.
The Health Defence League (HDL), in a statement widely shared on social media, referred to the "intense involvement of the WHO in Namibia's affairs during the pandemic and the consequent economic collapse".
The league said the acceptance of the treaty will give the WHO the power to enforce legally binding conventions or agreements on member countries.
It also gives the WHO "far-reaching and legally binding power to force member states to accept many of the censorship and surveillance measures enforced during the Covid-19 pandemic".
The HDL added that it is ready to defend Namibians' "basic human rights, our constitution, freedom of choice and speech".
"Namibia will not be ruled by foreign entities. Our leaders will be held accountable for any action that will lead to the loss of our hard-won freedoms. Namibia and our freedom are not for sale."
This according to health ministry executive director Ben Nangombe, who referred instead to a milestone decision taken during a special session of the World Health Assembly last December to establish an intergovernmental negotiating body (INB) for the preparation, management and prevention of pandemics.
Nangombe’s statement comes after public concerns were raised around a plot to devise strategies to deal with future pandemics.
Last week, the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) implored government to ensure that any new world health pandemic agreement and/or international health regulations (IHRs) are submitted to the National Assembly and National Council for ratification.
“The IHR amendments and the pandemic preparedness treaty seek to diminish our sovereignty and democratic rights. The sovereignty of Namibia is not negotiable,” the union said.
According to Nangombe, however, the INB has not yet officially determined the type of legal document that will result from this.
The body has also not yet identified the elements member states like Namibia want to include. Currently, IHRs are the only international instrument for preparing and responding to health emergencies.
Clear gaps
However, according to Nangombe, the Covid-19 pandemic pointed out clear gaps that are not fully covered by IHRs.
These include vulnerable people who have to make do without basic resources such as personal protective equipment, face masks, ventilators and medical oxygen, while rich countries accumulate substances and place the protection of their inhabitants first.
"The world has been confronted with a 'me first’ approach that has hampered the solidarity needed for a global threat such as Covid-19," the executive director said.
He stressed that Namibia, as a sovereign member of the World Health Organisation (WHO), reserves the right to reject or question any amendments, in line with Article 22 of the WHO constitution and its laws.
According to him, Namibia was one of several countries that asked for more time to discuss targeted amendments to IHRs. A working group will now be established in this regard to discuss and make proposals. The closing date for submitting proposals is 30 September.
He stressed the acceptance of any treaty or convention is subject to the country's national legislative processes.
‘Intense involvement’
Nangombe further mentioned a petition addressed to, among others, the ministry, members of the National Assembly and the Prime Minister on the issue, in which various objections were raised against the WHO decision.
The Health Defence League (HDL), in a statement widely shared on social media, referred to the "intense involvement of the WHO in Namibia's affairs during the pandemic and the consequent economic collapse".
The league said the acceptance of the treaty will give the WHO the power to enforce legally binding conventions or agreements on member countries.
It also gives the WHO "far-reaching and legally binding power to force member states to accept many of the censorship and surveillance measures enforced during the Covid-19 pandemic".
The HDL added that it is ready to defend Namibians' "basic human rights, our constitution, freedom of choice and speech".
"Namibia will not be ruled by foreign entities. Our leaders will be held accountable for any action that will lead to the loss of our hard-won freedoms. Namibia and our freedom are not for sale."
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