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Human rights

UN Committee Condemns Developed Countries' Refusal to Waive COVID-19 Vaccine IP Rights

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Developed countries' persistent refusal to waive intellectual property rights for COVID-19 vaccines has been condemned by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) under its "early warning and urgent action" procedures. The Committee argues that this refusal violates non-discrimination guarantees under international human rights law, particularly affecting individuals and groups vulnerable to racial discrimination, including people of African or Asian descent, ethnic minorities, Roma communities, and Indigenous Peoples. CERD chairperson Verene Shepherd emphasized the devastating negative impacts of COVID-19 on these groups, with "high levels of morbidity and mortality" reported.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) has adopted a decision under its "early warning and urgent action" procedures, condemning developed countries' refusal to waive COVID-19 vaccine IP rights.
  • The Committee argues that this refusal violates non-discrimination guarantees under international human rights law, particularly affecting individuals and groups vulnerable to racial discrimination.
  • The refusal of developed countries such as Germany, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States to waive IP rights has disproportionately impacted developing countries, resulting in fewer than 1% of their populations receiving at least one COVID-19 booster.
  • The Committee urged States to incorporate a mechanism that commits governments to suspend intellectual property rights in a health crisis, particularly within the draft pandemic preparedness treaty currently under negotiation at the WHO.
  • The Committee is preparing new guidance, under the form of a "general recommendation", on racial discrimination and the enjoyment of the right to health, with a focus on the link between historical injustices and the low level of attention paid to the health of people of African descent, Indigenous Peoples, and ethnic minorities.

Statistics:

  • 32% of the global population has received at least one COVID-19 booster.
  • In developing countries such as Gabon, Papua New Guinea, Burundi, and Madagascar, fewer than 1% of the population has received at least one COVID-19 booster.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic has had disproportionately negative impacts on individuals and groups vulnerable to racial discrimination.
  • The Committee has reported "high levels of morbidity and mortality" affecting these groups, with a direct link to the refusal of developed countries to waive IP rights for COVID-19 vaccines.

Sources:

  • United Nations News

http://milnz.co.nz/mil-osi-aggregation/

  • World Health Organization (WHO)

http://www.who.int/en/

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