COMPULSORY COVID-19 VACCINATION IS FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHT VIOLATION- ARCHBISHOP CHUKWUMA CAUTIONS

REPORTER: CHRISTIAN NWANGENE

The Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province, Anglican Communion, the Most Reverend Emmanuel Chukwuma, has condemned the compulsory COVID-19 vaccination for all civil servants by the Federal Government, saying it is an infringement on the fundamental human rights of citizens.

The Most Reverend Chukwuma, stated this while interacting with journalists in Enugu.

Though the Archbishop argued that it was important for the citizens to be vaccinated against the deadly virus, it however should not be made compulsory.

“You cannot force anybody to take vaccination when you don’t ascertain the health condition of that person. I’m not saying it’s bad to take vaccination, but it should not be a compulsory thing without ascertaining the state of the health of the people.

“There has been vaccination before which has not been forced. Why is this one particular thing that you want to force people?

“Government should not make it a situation whereby if you’re not vaccinated, you cannot enter the office, or receive your salary.

“People are hungry, they should make other important things compulsory,” the Archbishop argued.

He advised the people to continue to observe COVID-19 protocol, while maintaining personal hygiene, especially with the variant spreading.

Archbishop Chukwuma observed that health services had been on the steady decline in the country, emphasizing that the church would continue to help the government in providing affordable, and accessible health care services to the people.

The Archbishop noted that when people have good health care and remain healthy, it would help them to pay their taxes, go about their businesses and have peace of minds.