Estonia Rejects WHO's Pandemic Measures: A Bold Stand by Parliament Members

On November 22, at 7:01 PM, eleven courageous members of the Estonian Parliament sent a letter to the World Health Organization (WHO), declaring Estonia's refusal to consent to an international agreement on pandemic preparedness and response. This move also includes rejecting the proposed amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) and the issue of sustaining WHO funding.

The brave parliamentarians behind this decision are Kalle Grünthal, Martin Helme, Rain Epler, Varro Vooglaaid, Arvo Aller, Kert Kingo, Evelin Poolamets, Rene Kokk, Helle-Moonika Helme, Ants Frosch, and Aleksander Tšaplõgin. Their stance represents a significant deviation from the globally coordinated efforts to combat pandemics under WHO's guidance.

The rejection, as stated in their letter, is based on two key reasons. First, under § 121 of the Estonian Constitution, only the 101-member parliament has the authority to ratify or denounce treaties. Since the parliament has not made such a decision, the committee's actions are considered unconstitutional. Secondly, the decision of the European Union Affairs Committee formed within the parliament, dated March 4, 2022, authorizing the European Commission to negotiate on behalf of Estonia, is deemed invalid. This decision was made by only nine of the 101 parliament members, rendering it legally void.

This bold move by the Estonian parliament members raises questions about the balance of power between national legislatures and international bodies. It also highlights the ongoing debates over sovereignty, international cooperation, and the global management of health crises. The world awaits further developments as Estonia stands firm in its decision, potentially setting a precedent for other nations questioning international agreements under the auspices of the WHO.