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| - Last Updated on September 5, 2024 by Dr Priyamvada
Quick Take
The Slovak PM Robert Fico was shot in an assassination attempt in May, 2024. As per a Facebook post, Fico was shot because he rejected the WHO Pandemic Treaty. We did the fact check to term it as false.
The Claim
As per a Facebook post, The Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, was shot because he rejected the WHO Pandemic Treaty. The caption on the post reads, “WHY THE GLOBALISTS WANTS HIM DEAD. Now we know why they tried to assassinate the Prime Minister of Slovakia. Slovakia REJECTED The WHO Pandemic Accord!! Only last week Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico gave this speech:- ‘I also clearly declare that we (Slovakia Democratic Party) WILL NOT support strengthening the Powers of the World Health Organisation. One study after another confirms the scandalous consequences of mass vaccination with experimental untested vaccines. If someone had a different opinion on vaccination against Covid – they were dangerous to society’. Today he has been shot in public!! As of yet no motive for the attack has been given….”
Fact Check
What is the basis of the claim?
The claim that Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot because he rejected the WHO Pandemic Treaty is circulating on social media. It asserts that Fico’s stance against the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Pandemic Accord is the cause of an assassination attempt on his life.
When did Fico give his speech?
The post claims that Fico made a speech criticising COVID-19 vaccines and the WHO Pandemic Accord “only last week” before the attack. However, the video is from November 2023, and not a recent speech. This video has been available online since November 17, 2023, as reported by The Slovak Spectator and Euractiv.
What happened during the assassination attempt?
On May 15, 2024, Robert Fico was shot in an assassination attempt during a public meeting in Handlova, Slovakia. The Slovak PM got wounds in the abdomen due to the gunshots. He underwent multiple surgeries and is now in a stable condition. The suspect is Juraj Cintula, a 71-year-old poet (not professional) and former security guard. He has been charged with attempted murder.
Initial reports said the attack was politically motivated. However, Slovak authorities later indicated the likelihood of a “third party” involvement but did not provide any direct connection to Fico’s stand on the WHO Pandemic Treaty. There is no credible evidence to support that the assassination attempt was due to his stance on the WHO Accord.
Was the Slovak PM shot due to his strong views on the WHO’s Pandemic Treaty?
No, the Slovak Prime Minister was not shot because of his strong views on the Pandemic Treaty. We did a thorough research but couldn’t gather any information regarding such a connection. Moreover, the post is not from “last week” as claimed. It is from an old Youtube live video, available since November 17, 2023.
Robert Fico served as Slovakia’s prime minister multiple times and is known for his controversial stances and pro-Russia views. His criticism of the WHO Pandemic Accord and mass vaccination has been in public since at least November 2023.
What is the WHO Pandemic Accord?
The WHO Pandemic accord is also known as the WHO Pandemic Preparedness and Response Accord or Pandemic Treaty more commonly. This is an international agreement which aims to enhance global preparedness and response to future pandemics. The push for this accord came in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Everybody can agree that the COVID pandemic highlighted significant gaps and disparities in the world’s ability to respond effectively to global health emergencies.
In late 2021, WHO member states, including Slovakia, agreed to develop a global accord to enhance international preparedness and response to future pandemics. The details of this agreement have been under negotiation since then. The likely adoption by member states is anticipated during the 77th World Health Assembly starting May 27, 2024.
What are the key objectives of the Accord?
The objective of the WHO Pandemic Accord is to prevent, prepare for, and respond to pandemics. The main goals of the WHO Pandemic Accord include:
- Strengthening International Cooperation: The accord aims to foster greater collaboration among countries to share information, resources, and best practices during health emergencies.
- Enhancing Surveillance Systems: Improving global surveillance to detect and respond to outbreaks more quickly and effectively.
- Ensuring Equitable Access to Resources: Addressing the inequities in access to vaccines, treatments, and medical supplies to ensure that all countries, regardless of income level, can protect their populations.
- Building Health Infrastructure: Supporting the development of robust health systems that can withstand the pressures of a pandemic.
- Promoting Research and Development: Encouraging innovation and the rapid development of vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments.
How is the Accord being developed?
The Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB), which includes representatives from WHO member states, oversees the development of the accord. This body meets regularly to negotiate the details, including input from public health experts, international organisations, and other stakeholders.
The negotiation process is complex. It has to balance the interests and concerns of different countries. Key points of discussion include intellectual property rights, funding mechanisms, and the roles of various international agencies.
What is the current status of the WHO Pandemic Treaty?
During the recent World Health Assembly (WHA) meeting on May 27, 2024, Member States recognised the progress made in developing the Pandemic Treaty. They have agreed to continue their efforts on this initiative until the end of the WHA on June 1, 2024. The next steps include finalising the amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) and agreeing on the timing, format, and process to conclude the Pandemic Treaty. This ongoing work aims to strengthen global preparedness and response to future pandemics.
How do social media posts mislead the public?
The social media posts misleadingly link the assassination attempt to Fico’s rejection of the WHO Pandemic Treaty. These posts incorrectly claim that the video of his speech is from “last week”. Moreover, they draw baseless conclusions about the motive behind the attack.
Conclusion
There is no evidence to support the claim that Robert Fico was shot because he rejected the WHO Pandemic Treaty. The timing of his speech against the WHO, the nature of the assassination attempt, and the motives suggested by authorities do not align with the narrative presented in the social media posts. The claim is therefore rated as false.
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