Will the State be able to punish the unvaccinated? – Respublika.lt

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Will the State be able to punish the unvaccinated? Photo by EPA-Elta

“Whoever receives the vaccine will have completely different travel, communication and business conditions than someone who will be at risk,” the prime minister said.

Total discrimination

These plans of S. Skvernelis, the president of the Lithuanian Human Rights Association, Vytautas Budnikas immediately during the conversation with Vakaro žinios, described them as discriminatory towards unvaccinated people.

“A person cannot be forcibly vaccinated. The scientific claims are diverse. There are claims that vaccines can damage the immune system.

A situation may arise in which various laws restrict the rights of a person who is not vaccinated. For example, children will not be admitted to kindergarten, which was already destined to be legalized. This is definitely discrimination.

Everyone should be careful, but it does not have to be a vaccine because some people do not believe in its benefits, they are afraid. Fear is a right that cannot be taken away. Only when public safety is at stake does the Constitution allow the restriction of human freedoms. Anyone: word, beliefs and the like. Is my non-vaccination a threat to public safety? Of course, no.

But until there is legislation, the Prime Minister’s speech cannot be categorically evaluated. Perhaps the legislation legalizes several exceptions for the benefit of all. But if the legal acts become the restrictions I am talking about, it would be a violation of the Constitution ”, V. Budnik is convinced.

The specialist has no idea how the idea of ​​a prime minister could be put into practice. If the unvaccinated are subject to restrictions, will the unvaccinated have to get a certificate from a doctor and take it everywhere?

“It is very difficult to speak until there is no legislation. Because some claims may be justified, protecting the public. This is how there is now a requirement to wear a mask on public transport. It is reasonable because I do not want someone to stand next to me, breathe inside me and get infected because there is a pandemic. But if the unvaccinated are not allowed on public transport or shopping, then it will be discrimination, ”said the human rights defender.

On the other hand, according to him, although the requirement to wear masks is justified in certain cases, it is illogical that the State does not compensate them for people living in poverty, who count every penny. According to V. Budnik, either the socially vulnerable masks should be distributed free of charge or the state should ensure that their prices are not brutal. However, there is no desire to regulate prices, because they want to give money to lobbyists – mask makers and sellers.

“Another nuance is that it is planned to buy vaccines to cover 70 percent of the population. Consequently, 30 percent. people, even if they wanted to, would not have the opportunity to get vaccinated. On what basis will it be possible to restrict travel, business, communications or other conditions for them? If the State raises requirements, it must guarantee equal opportunities for everyone to meet those requirements, ”emphasized the interlocutor.

Court carousel

V.Budnik pointed out one more thing: until now no one knows whether vaccines will not have side effects, which can occur in a few months or years. If the state demanded vaccination and this harmed people’s health, the latter would have the right to sue the state. Although, of course, a little joy if health is damaged.

Also, keep in mind that not all agencies accept vaccines. For example, some people who get a flu shot get an even more serious form of the flu. So how can restrictions be applied to non-vaccination if a person knows that vaccines will only harm him? ”V. Budnik asked rhetorically.

Vakaro žinios recalls that the Government has decided that the maximum amount that the State could have to allocate for the purchase of the vaccine would be 125 million euros. S. Skvernelis emphasizes that it would be free for the Lithuanian population.

“Today no one will say which of the seven companies with which the EC has already reached preliminary agreements will be successful first. Therefore, we will conclude order contracts with them for all. Contracts that satisfy at least most of our needs,” said Skvernel .