WHO Accountability Must Prevail Over Impunity
Swiss Association WIR (Wirksamkeit, Intuition, Respekt | Effectiveness, Intuition, Respect) calls for a fundamental review of the privileges and immunities granted in Switzerland and the United States to the World Health Organization (WHO) and, where applicable, to individuals and entities acting under its authority, agreements or institutional framework.
As host state to numerous international organisations, Switzerland has a particular responsibility to ensure that institutional privilege does not improperly obstruct access to justice.
Immunity must never become impunity. Immunity exists to protect the independent functioning of international institutions – not to prevent legitimate investigation, judicial scrutiny or accountability.
The COVID-19 pandemic had profound consequences for public health, civil liberties, economies and societies worldwide. Legitimate questions remain concerning WHO pandemic decision-making, research funding and oversight, conflicts of interest, institutional relationships and the evidence underlying major policy decisions informed by the WHO.
World Council for Health joins Swiss Association WIR therefore in the call for:
- A comprehensive legal and parliamentary review of WHO and protected person privileges and immunities in Switzerland and the United States.
- Full transparency regarding the agreements and legal instruments governing these protections.
- Examination of the circumstances in which immunity may be waived where credible evidence warrants independent judicial investigation.
- Independent, evidence-based investigation of unresolved questions concerning pandemic preparedness, research funding, laboratory safety, pandemic decision-making and COVID-19 management.
- Appropriate protection for whistleblowers, scientists, physicians, journalists and public officials who provide credible evidence.
- Transparency concerning relevant financial relationships, grants, contracts and institutional partnerships within the global health system.
We call upon the Swiss Federal Council, the Swiss Parliament, the responsible authorities of the United States, and all competent judicial and supervisory authorities to review the existing framework and ensure that legitimate investigations cannot be improperly obstructed.
No censorship of legitimate questions.
No immunity from legitimate scrutiny.
No institution above the law.
The world deserves transparency.
People deserve answers.
The WHO must be held to account.
World Council for Health and Swiss Association WIR, Switzerland
Read the full Statement from Swiss Association WIR
World Council for Health stands for a Better Way.
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