LWF advocates for equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines at Human Rights Council
LWF continues to advocate for equal access to COVID19 vaccines. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert
"Until all are safe, no one is safe”
(LWI) - At the 49th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC), the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) advocated for equitable and universal access of COVID-19 vaccines. The impact of the pandemic on human rights raises the concern that it will not only continue but might worsen without urgent action.
In an oral statement issued at the HRC, LWF reminded member states that COVID-19 continues to be a pandemic and a crisis in many countries where vaccines are still not available to most people. Lack of equitable access to vaccines is one of the main reasons why COVID-19 is still a crisis and pandemic.
The LWF also welcomed the report issued by the High commissioner on the subject of Human Rights and the lack of access to COVID-19 vaccines as well as the deepening inequalities between States (A/HRC/49/35).
Statement of the Lutheran World Federation
The Lutheran World Federation thanks madam high commissioner for her comprehensive report on “the Human rights implications of the lack of affordable, timely, equitable and universal access and distribution of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines and the deepening inequalities between States.”
This report affirms many of our experiences in the communities and countries where our member churches and country programs are working.
We would like to once again remind member states that Covid 19 continues to be a pandemic and a crisis in many countries where vaccines are still not available to the majority of people. The lack of equitable access to vaccines is one of the main reasons why Covid-19 is still a crisis and a global pandemic. As has been said over and over again, until all are safe, no one is safe.
We reiterate that without equitable and universal access of Covid-19 vaccines, the impact of the pandemic on human rights will not only continue, but might worsen. Unless urgently addressed, vaccine inequity will continue to have significant negative impact on girls’ right to education, protection of refugees and displaced persons, gender-based violence, poverty and a range of other economic, social and cultural rights than it is now.
Moreover, prevalence of vaccine inequity also hinders economic recovery from the pandemic and our collective efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
As such we call on the member states, the human rights council and the international community to take every necessary step to ensure an equitable and universal access to Covid-19 vaccines.
