The world is witnessing a pivotal moment in global health policy as the draft for the world's first pandemic treaty enters its final round of negotiations. This treaty, aimed at strengthening pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, emphasizes "equity as the goal and outcome." The initiative has sparked a wide range of reactions, from support by global health leaders to criticism by some who fear it may lead to an overreach of power by the World Health Organization (WHO). Critics argue that the treaty could grant the WHO excessive authority, including the ability to declare virtually any issue a public health concern and mandate widespread censorship. Meanwhile, supporters, including Dr. Tedros, the Director-General of WHO, advocate for the treaty, highlighting the need for a rights-based approach to pandemic management that respects human dignity and freedoms. The debate extends to the role of national sovereignty, with some voices calling for the treaty to be subject to Senate approval in the United States and questioning the country's continued membership in the WHO. Critics, including Dr. Meryl Nass, have described the treaty as a "soft coup" under the guise of pandemic preparedness and the biosecurity agenda.
"We're undergoing a soft coup... under the pretext of pandemic preparedness and the biosecurity agenda." Dr. Meryl Nass outlines how the WHO's proposed pandemic treaty would empower the organization "to assume control over all aspects of the world" by asserting that climate… https://t.co/u3jN7NoVWr
Had a very constructive dialogue on the Pandemic Agreement negotiations and the centrality of equity in the instrument with 31 Ambassadors representing the Group for Equity. We agreed that we must not forget the suffering and lessons of the #COVID19 pandemic. #PandemicAccord https://t.co/9TIEkAeCCp
Thank you @volker_turk, @UNHumanRights High Commissioner, for undescoring the need for a rights-based approach to pandemic prevention and response. A core principle of the pandemic agreement is full respect for the human rights, dignity and freedoms of all people, and enjoyment… https://t.co/vjLK7UCF5f
We must demand the WHO Pandemic Accords treaty go through the Senate, at a minimum. Call your representatives and tell them to demand it. Better yet, it's time to get us out of the WHO altogether. https://t.co/c90kIEXtXx
#COVID19 took too many lives, wreaked havoc on our communities, and pushed millions of people into poverty. It didn’t have to be this way. I join @GlblCtzn's call to world leaders to get the #PandemicAccord done. And I invite you to join, too: https://t.co/fKOBJj3lgg
It's absolutely necessary that we become informed about the WHO Pandemic Accords and stop their evil treaty from seizing incredible powers, including a mandate to widespread censorship and the capacity to declare virtually anything a "public health" issue. https://t.co/4yrYOHGjmc
We must stop the WHO Pandemic Accords. We must not hand over our sovereignty. Great @GBNEWS interview on it by @thecoastguy. https://t.co/BtO5YYRgCz
COVID-19 laid bare global health inequities. The world's first pandemic treaty aims to "strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response" with "equity as the goal and outcome." The draft enters a final round of scheduled negotiations today. https://t.co/CGpiYWc7Vi