CHR: Listing of unvaccinated residents must not violate right to privacy

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Wednesday reminded barangay officials that submitting a list of unvaccinated residents must not result in violation of the residents' right to privacy.  

CHR spokesperson and lawyer Jacqueline Ann de Guia made the call after the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued an order restricting the mobility of people who have yet to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

“With the recent directive of the DILG for barangays to submit a list of unvaccinated individuals in their communities, we hope that this does not result in the breach of the right to privacy of individuals and, more importantly, not restrict the unvaccinated from accessing essential good and services,” De Guia said in a statement.

De Guia underscored that upholding human rights must remain an important  consideration in crafting and implementing policies amid COVID-19 pandemic.

“We cannot use the present pandemic as a justification to set aside pertinent laws and human rights standards meant to protect human rights and dignity in all situations and at all times,” she added.

When inventory is already available, DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said barangays can now implement the restrictions on unvaccinated people through an ordinance.

The inventory will be submitted every month to the DILG, according to Malaya.

The Philippines on Wednesday registered 32,246 fresh COVID-19 infections, bringing the nationwide caseload to 3,058,634.—LDF, GMA News