South African renowned musician, Toya Delazy has called out the French Government as she has noted that placing limitations on people who choose not to get the vaccine is a form of human rights violation.
Toya took to Twitter to express her views after French lawmakers approved a controversial law this week that will provide vaccinated people with privileged access to restaurants, cafes, intercity transportation, and other venues starting in August, a measure that has drawn nationwide protests over the past two weeks.
That notwithstanding, access to venues covered by the law will also be possible with a recent negative coronavirus test, or proof of immunity through infection, while anyone who does not meet these qualifications may not legally enter.
The French President, Emmanuel Macron has said the aim of what the government calls a “health pass” is to drive up vaccination rates, which had begun to rise in recent weeks.
In a string of tweets, Toya made her stance on vaccines clear and slammed the subtle manner in which “the powers that be” are treading on people’s rights.
“Vaccines are personal, you take it to protect yourself, not for others. I believe in freedom of choice first; not forcing them on young people or else strip away their livelihoods.
“This is a crime against humanity. We, the 99% that survive, are locked up like criminals”.
Toya, who is based in the UK, made it clear that she believes ‘vaccine passports’ infringe on human rights and that young people, in particular, should take a stand against them.
“Forcing the youth (99% survival) to vaccinate or else be denied basic human rights in society is breaking the laws of nature and free will. I call bullshit on the system.
“What you have done to us young people is unforgivable. You left us with nothing, stranded and unsupported. Humans have a right to live as they choose, no matter how expressional, as long as they hurt none.
“Only those with wicked intentions force you to behave out of your natural state in ‘hope’ of a better life. It’s reverse psychology”.
Toya only joins some 161,000 people in Paris who protested against the health pass, with demonstrators brandishing slogans including “freedom is being trampled on”.
It is worth mentioning that during the protest, seventy-one people were arrested, including 24 in Paris, and 29 members of the security forces were injured, the Ministry of Interior disclosed.
President Macron scoffs at protests
Meanwhile, on a visit to France’s Pacific territory of French Polynesia, President Macron scoffed at how slogans of freedom were being brandished at the protests.
“Everyone is free to express themselves calmly with respect for the other. But freedom, where I owe nothing to someone else, does not exist”.
He said that under such logic, relatives could be infected by someone who is not vaccinated “when there is the chance to have something that protects”, or the person could themselves end up in hospital.
“I don’t call this freedom; I call this irresponsibility and egoism”.
By maximizing the number of vaccinations, the government wants to minimize the impact of the virus’ fourth wave. The government is expecting some 40 million people to receive at least one jab by the end of Tuesday, July 27, 2021.
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