The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in huge casualties and equally catastrophic changes in the economy and public life. Today in different countries the topic of vaccination among the population is widely discussed. In this regard, the Representation of the UOC to European international organizations draws attention to the Resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe 2361 (2021). This document is addressed to the parliaments of states and establishes international legal standards for the practice of introducing vaccination, Bishop Viktor (Kotsaba) writes in his Telegram channel.

“The analysis of these standards gives grounds to conclude that vaccination cannot be compulsory. The voluntary nature of vaccination is established unambiguously and unconditionally in clause 7.3.1. Resolutions stipulating that vaccination is optional and no one can be forced to undergo this procedure under the influence of political, social or other circumstances. Clause 7.3.2. of the same document it is forbidden to subject people to discrimination, that is, all kinds of infringements of their rights due to lack of vaccination.

It follows from these provisions that compulsory vaccination is a recognized violation of international law and bioethical standards in medicine. Refusal of employment, dismissal from work, denial of access to services due to lack of vaccination – these and other similar actions are a gross violation of human rights, ”writes the hierarch.

So, he emphasizes, “the vaccination process should take place entirely on a voluntary basis, in compliance with high safety standards and a wide information campaign about the medical procedures offered to the population and their consequences.”