Aontú, the republican political party operating in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, has voiced strong objections to the draft provisions of a new Public Health Bill in Northern Ireland. The party, led by Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly, argues that the bill's proposed measures could infringe upon individual liberties by allowing authorities to detain people in hospitals and mandate vaccinations against their will. As public consultations continue, Aontú urges a reevaluation of these potentially draconian measures, warning of their implications for human rights during public health emergencies.
Aontú, a republican political party that operates in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland has taken issue with draft provisions of a new Public Health Bill in Northern Ireland.
They claim that it would grant “powers to detain people in hospitals and require persons to take vaccinations against their will”.
Gript reports: Aontú’s Deputy Leader, Gemma Brolly, told Gript that the proposals for the new Public Health Bill in the north which the Department says seek to update public health legislative framework in order that Northern Ireland can respond to 21st century public health emergencies, “includes provision to deprive persons of their liberty as part of regulations in response to a ‘threat to public health’.”
Pointing to page 47 of the draft provisions Mrs Brolly took issue with proposals which could “require a person to be vaccinated” and be “removed to” or “detained in” a hospital.
“The Department of Health are currently holding a consultation on possible inclusions in a new Public Health Bill. Within its provisions, the consultation document outlines that regulations may be included in legislation that may permit warrants to the Public Health Agency to enter premises by force, to impose a ‘special restriction or requirement’ such as requiring a person to be vaccinated, for them to be detained in a hospital or that the person may well be subject to restrictions as to where a person may go or with whom the person has contact,” she said.
A foreword from Mike Nesbitt MLA, the Minister for Health in Northern Ireland, says that the overarching principle of the draft Bill now open to public consultation “is to protect the population against various forms of infection and contamination including biological, chemical and radiological, in addition to infectious diseases, which is the focus of the 1967 Act.”
However, Ms Brolly said that the proposed measure would clash with the rights of individuals to their liberty. “This legislation can never materialise,” she said, describing any such measures involving compulsion as an erosion of freedom.
“This language is absolutely unacceptable,” she said. “It is born of Orwell, and oversteps any lawful authority that any Government has even during a public health emergency.”
“Moreover this is an extremely concerning infringement on human rights. Aontú absolutely oppose the inclusion of these draconian provisions within any legislation, and we would go further and ask how the Health Minister could approve this consultation. He should rescind this document immediately and seriously ask if these officials genuinely think that these provisions are realistic, legal or enforceable,” she said.
In response to Ms Brolly’s comments, Health Minister Mike Nesbit said: “My department acknowledges the interest and concerns that have been raised regarding the policy proposals that are currently out for consultation and which may underpin a new Public Health Bill.”
