University academics appeal against the discriminatory nature of the “green pass”, stressing that universities are places of inclusion, with the aim of initiating serious, in-depth debate on the dangers of this measure, and rejecting all forms of exclusion and penalization of students, teachers and technical-administrative staff.
As from 1 September, only those in possession of a so-called “green pass” are permitted to use the facilities of Italian universities, sit for exams and attend lessons. This requirement applies not only to students, but also to teachers, technical, administrative and library staff, and amounts to a de facto, albeit surreptitious, form of mandatory vaccination, necessary to enjoy fundamental rights regarding study and work, without the full assumption of responsibility on the part of political decision makers.
Many of us have freely chosen to be vaccinated against Covid-19, convinced that the vaccine is safe and effective. All of us, however, consider this discrimination introduced against a minority to be unfair and illegitimate, since it conflicts with the provisions of the Constitution (art. 32: “No one may be obliged to undergo specific health treatment unless this is laid down by law. The law may not in any case violate the restrictions imposed by respect for the human person”) and with those of EU Regulation 953/2021, which clarifies that “It is necessary to prevent direct or indirect discrimination against persons who are not vaccinated” for various reasons, or who “chose not to be vaccinated”.
In a university context, specifically, the academics who signed this public appeal believe that everyone’s freedom of choice should be protected, and equal inclusion, in all its forms, should be encouraged. In the current situation, the choice is between obtaining a green pass or being excluded from the possibility of attending university lessons and, in the case of teaching staff, being suspended from teaching duties. This is a violation of the rights to study and education enshrined in the Italian Constitution, and represents a dangerous precedent.
In essence, the “green pass” divides Italian society into first-class citizens, who continue to enjoy their rights, and second-class citizens, who instead suffer the restriction of those fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution (equality, personal freedom, work, study, freedom of association, freedom of movement, and freedom of opinion).
The measure that introduced the “green pass” is of an extraordinary nature, and the methods of its implementation are far from clear. This brings with it obvious risks, especially if the measure were extended beyond 31 December, which would call to mind historical precedents that we hoped we would never again have to witness.
We hope that a serious political debate will be initiated, in society and in academia as a whole (including its fundamental components of the administrative staff and students), to prevent any penalization of specific categories of people based on their personal choices or beliefs, to ensure the right to study and research and universal access to university services, without discrimination or additional charges (which are, de facto, discriminatory).
We therefore call for the abolition and rejection of all forms of discrimination.
View the list of signatories here: https://nogreenpassdocenti.eu/wp/sottoscrittori
TO SIGN THE APPEAL, PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL SPECIFYING YOUR NAME, SURNAME, ACADEMIC POSITION, DEPARTMENT/SUBJECT (optional), USING YOUR UNIVERSITY EMAIL ADDRESS TO: universitariuniti@gmail.com.
THE LIST OF SIGNATORIES IS PUBLIC, AT: https://nogreenpassdocenti.eu/wp/sottoscrittori/
Mail: universitariuniti@gmail.com
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