Listing unvaxxed residents must not violate the right to privacy, according to CHR.
CHR — On Wednesday, the Commission on Human Rights reminded barangay officials that submitting a list of unvaxxed residents must not result in a violation of the residents’ right to privacy.
With the recent directive of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for barangays to submit a list of unvaxxed individuals in their communities, CHR spokesperson and lawyer Jacqueline Ann de Guia said in a statement that they hoped this didn’t result in the breach of the right to privacy of individuals and not restrict the unvaccinated individuals from accessing essential good and services.
She also underscored that upholding human rights must remain an important consideration in crafting and implementing policies amidst the pandemics.
“We cannot use the present pandemic as a justification to set aside pertinent laws and human rights standards meant to protect human rights and dignity in all situations and at all times,” De Guia said.
De Guia made the call after the DILG has ordered to restrict the mobility of those who have yet to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said that the order was in line with the pronouncement of President Rodrigo Duterte to restrict the movement of unvaccinated individuals.
To recall, the President ordered barangay officials to direct persons yet to be inoculated against COVID-19 to stay at home amidst the steep spike in coronavirus cases believed driven by the Omicron variant.
READ ALSO: DILG Orders Barangays to Submit List of Unvaxxed Residents
Malaya also said that barangays can then implement the restrictions on unvaccinated individuals through an ordinance when the inventory is already available.
According to Malaya, the inventory will be submitted to the DILG every month.
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