ARID Raises Concerns Over Pandemic Treaty Negotiations
VICTORIA, Seychelles, The Association for Rights of Informed Dialogue (ARID) has raised concerns over a number of issues relating to the proposed Pandemic Treaty and the amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) currently under negotiation at the World Health organisation. The group is led by a former minister of Health, who addressed a recent press briefing at the Peace Centre, Carrosse. The association has said it wants the public to better understand what is being discussed at the international level.
ARID, which has more than 1000 members, stated that the proposed treaty and IHR amendments were far from simple. The association warned that the IHR amendments could, in the long run, lead to a pandemic emergency dictatorship, where decisions would be made by a regional or international body, removing the authority of national governments to respond to health emergencies within their own borders. Members also pointed to a lack of clarity around the funding mechanisms that would accompany any new framework.
ARID said the proposed treaty in its current form also had the potential to affect the pharmaceutical and food industry through various provisions, such as technology transfer and the protection of traditional knowledge. The association noted that while greater international cooperation on pandemic preparedness is welcome, the specific mechanisms proposed in the treaty text raise serious questions about national sovereignty and democratic accountability. The group has called for clearer definitions of the roles assigned to international bodies during a declared emergency.
ARID further argued that any new global health framework must respect the right of nations to make their own decisions in the best interests of their people, and not be subject to undue influence from external actors. The group has called for a broader public consultation in Seychelles on the implications of the proposed treaty, given its potential impact on national health policy and governance structures. Members also urged local professionals to review the draft text and submit their own observations.
ARID will hold further briefings and consultations on this matter and encourages citizens, civil society organisations, and professionals in the health sector to engage with the issue. The association will be publishing detailed analyses of the treaty text and the IHR amendments on its website and social media channels in the coming weeks. Citizens are invited to share their views and concerns through these channels as part of the ongoing national conversation about the country future in global health governance.
