Suhakam: ‘Balancing act’ needed to address anti-vax discrimination
Suhakam is urging the government to find a ‘balancing act’ to address discrimination faced by unvaccinated individuals.
Suhakam commissioner Jerald Joseph (above) reminded that it was within an individual’s right to choose not to take the Covid-19 vaccine, with some groups choosing to make that decision.
“The commission feels that we can...
Suhakam is urging the government to find a ‘balancing act’ to address discrimination faced by unvaccinated individuals.
Suhakam commissioner Jerald Joseph (above) reminded that it was within an individual’s right to choose not to take the Covid-19 vaccine, with some groups choosing to make that decision.
“The commission feels that we can find the balance between public health, the rights of others, and an individual right to choose (to be vaccinated).
“Even though there are reasonable restrictions, these should not disable the basic human rights (of the unvaccinated),” he said in a press conference today.
Jerald explained that this entailed the right to food, health, and even access to public services in the government.
“There must be a reasonable alternative. I think we feel that is a fair balancing act,” he said.
Despite this, Suhakam reiterated its recommendation for all individuals to get vaccinated if possible.
Today’s press conference saw the human rights commission announcing its findings and recommendations relating to various human rights issues, such as deaths in custody, the high death toll of Nepalese migrant workers in Malaysia, and Covid-19 vaccination.
The presser was held both virtually and in person at the Suhakam headquarters and attended by Suhakam commissioners Jerald, Madeline Berma, and Mah Weng Kwai.
In his speech, Jerald applauded the success of the country’s vaccination drive thus far - which sees the adult vaccination rate at 94.3 percent as of today.
However, he pointed out that there remained pockets of the country such as undocumented and stateless individuals who are still struggling to get vaccinated.
The commissioner’s statement comes after Suhakam reportedly received 80 complaints on discrimination against the unvaccinated.
The complaints include employers making Covid-19 vaccination compulsory, workers being fired or prevented from returning to their workplace due to their vaccination status, students being barred from returning to campus, as well as restriction of access to public spaces for unvaccinated individuals.
Yesterday, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin told the Dewan Negara that the Health Ministry is taking a hardline approach of not allowing anti-vaxxers to experience certain freedoms provided to fully vaccinated individuals.
He pointed out that there were two groups that should be differentiated - those who were unable to receive vaccinations for medical reasons and those who have chosen not to receive the Covid-19 vaccination.
Previously, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim described a separate statement by Khairy that the government will continue to make the lives of those who rejected the vaccines difficult as arrogant.
Since Aug 20, fully vaccinated individuals who live in regions under Phase 1 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) have been able to dine in.
Additionally, rules on recreational and sporting activities have also been relaxed. Fully inoculated individuals in these regions can now go fishing, hiking, camping, cycling, and play golf, badminton (singles) and tennis (singles).
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