Proportionality of the COVID‑19 restrictions in Austria and Latvia
26.11.2021
Question for written answer E-005295/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Jaak Madison (ID), Gerolf Annemans (ID), Francesca Donato (NI), Jean-Paul Garraud (ID), Roman Haider (ID), Laura Huhtasaari (ID), Ladislav Ilčić (ECR), Virginie Joron (ID), Elżbieta Kruk (ECR), Jérôme Rivière (ID), Ivan Vilibor Sinčić (NI), Milan Uhrík (NI), Tom Vandendriessche (ID)
Two Member States, namely Austria and Latvia, introduced far‑reaching lockdown restrictions on 15 November 2021 for unvaccinated individuals, which have resulted a two‑tiered society where vaccinated individuals have more rights than unvaccinated individuals.
It should be emphasised that the right to health includes the right not to be discriminated against based on one’s medical status, as well as the right to be free from non‑consensual medical treatment.
The measures implemented by Latvia and Austria defy all principles of proportionality and clearly create a state of medical apartheid where some people are more equal than others. In essence, they also pave the way for a vaccine mandate, which violates the right to medical choice. Furthermore, the requirement to present a COVID‑19 certificate violates the principle of privacy.
Given the fact that the Commission has been quick to condemn alleged rule of law violations in countries such as Poland and Hungary:
- 1.What is the Commission’s position on the measures taken by Latvia and Austria given that they completely violate democratic principles, including equality before the law and non‑discrimination?
- 2.Will it take any steps to investigate the impact these measures have on the fundamental rights of those living in Austria and Latvia?