Rights Group Urges Int'l Community To Waive COVID Vaccine Patents To Ensure Global Supply
Faizan Hashmi Published June 21, 2021 | 02:40 PM
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st June, 2021) A prominent human rights organization on Monday called on the international community to agree to the Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) waiver on COVID-19 treatments in a bid to remove barriers to global supply.
Commenting on the UN human rights agency's report on state response to pandemics, Amnesty International said that the outbreak of COVID-19 had highlighted inequalities, with women and marginalized groups more affected by the lack of equal access to healthcare. The organization also noted that the way vaccines were produced and distributed only magnified this disparity.
"To reverse this trend, States must remove any potential barriers to boost global supply by agreeing to the proposed TRIPS Waiver at the World Trade Organization (WTO) ... States also must work with COVAX to redistribute doses in a fair, timely and inclusive manner, rather than engaging in bilateral agreements," the group said in a speech delivered to the 47th session of the UN Human Rights Council.
As part of measures to facilitate access to the right to health, the international community should also prompt pharmaceutical companies to "loosen their grip on intellectual property rights and share knowledge and technology," including by joining the COVID-19 Technology Access Pool (C-TAP) launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Costa Rica to share the vaccine science and technology.
The TRIPS waiver was first proposed by India and South Africa in late 2020, with the states arguing it would help increase vaccine production, particularly in lower-income countries. The initiative was later supported by the WHO.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Tennis: ATP Barcelona Open results - 1st update
Swiatek's perfect 10 in Stuttgart as Vondrousova stuns Sabalenka
Arandu's roads closed due to flooding
Oil tanker catches fire in Islamabad’s Blue Area
Pakistan committed to ensure safety of foreign nationals: FO
Tennis: WTA Stuttgart results - 1st update
Four passengers injured as train hit an empty vehicle
Over- speeding bus crushed to death two bike riders
Turkey's Freedom Flotilla ready to set sail for Gaza
French teen dies from heart failure after knife attack near school
Iranians appear unfazed by Isfahan blasts
UAF celebrates Int'l Chinese Language Day
More Stories From World
-
Oil, gas drilling blocked in Alaska wilds as Biden seeks green cred
7 minutes ago -
Man sets self on fire outside Trump trial
7 minutes ago -
Turkey's Freedom Flotilla ready to set sail for Gaza
2 hours ago -
French teen dies from heart failure after knife attack near school
2 hours ago -
Iranians appear unfazed by Isfahan blasts
2 hours ago -
Ecuador mayor killed ahead of anti-crime referendum: police
2 hours ago
-
Croatia top court bars president from becoming next PM
2 hours ago -
Lacking storm drains, Dubai sees persistent flooding
3 hours ago -
West Bank villagers vigilant but vulnerable after settler attacks
3 hours ago -
Calls for calm after reported Israeli strike on Iran
3 hours ago -
Iran blasts rattle global markets
3 hours ago -
Photography is 'mirror on society': Sebastiao Salgado
3 hours ago