Liberty responds to Welsh government approving vaccine passports

Liberty has responded after the Welsh Government approved the use of vaccine passes for entry to nightclubs and major events.

Jodie Beck, Policy and Campaigns Officer at Liberty, said: “While we welcome the decision of the Welsh Government to not exclude those who have not received the vaccine from attending large events, the introduction of a vaccine pass in Wales still sets a dangerous precedent.

“Vaccine passports under any name mean more coercion and division, and risk creating a two-tier society where people who are already marginalised will see their rights and autonomy most affected.

“The Welsh Government must not use this vaccine pass as the first step to normalise and usher in even more coercive policies, such as wider use of vaccine passports and mandatory vaccinations. Politicians across the UK should be ensuring wide access to vaccines, providing better education to support and empower people to give informed consent, with a full understanding of the risks and benefits to themselves and others.”