A protest is to take place in Belfast this weekend against the Public Health Bill.
It comes after the DUP yesterday said the bill has “undermined public confidence”.
The bill has sparked controversy, particularly around vaccines.
Opponents have expressed concerns that the Public Health Bill could pave the way for unacceptably coercive measures in the future.
The bill does not explicitly mandate compulsory vaccination and states that regulations must allow exemptions from vaccination and include provisions about how someone can show that exemption.
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt previously said there had been “some misunderstanding”, but stressed that the legislation would be subject to the Assembly’s scrutiny processes.
He added that he is not in favour of mandatory vaccination.
On the ‘Stop The NI Health Bill’ website, organisers of Saturday’s noon protest at Belfast City Hall have said the bill “undermines human rights, limits personal choice and bypasses true public consultation”.
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The DUP gave its response to the Department of Health’s consultation on the proposals yesterday.
The party’s health spokesperson, Diane Dodds MLA, said the refusal to scrap the consultation “has undermined public confidence” adding that “the path to agreement on a new Public Health Bill [will be] even more challenging”.
“While the DUP recognises the need to act swiftly during times of crisis, we do not believe the proposals currently under consideration strike a fair balance between fulfilling public health objectives and defending personal liberty as the cornerstone of any democratic society,” said Ms Dodds.
“We are absolutely clear that sweeping powers should not be handed to the Minister of Health to impose restrictions which directly impact private and family life, education, employment and movement.
“The lived experience of the Covid-19 pandemic demonstrates that these powers, and the lockdowns they enabled, led to major social and economic disruption, had serious, adverse effects on personal health and wellbeing, and derailed the educational and emotional development of many children and young people.
“In particular, the DUP will continue to reject mandatory vaccination or plans to compel citizens to undergo other forms of medical treatment. Any future public health framework for Northern Ireland must be underpinned, both in law and in practice, by the principle of informed consent.”
Ms Dodds added that the department “must go back to the drawing board”.
“The aim of ensuring our health service is not overwhelmed during future emergencies is a laudable one. However, it does not justify a grave and disproportionate interference with the fundamental rights and dignity of individuals in our society.”
Vaccination was a divisive issue here during Covid-19.
The bill would replace the 1967 Public Health Act, ensuring Northern Ireland can respond to a wider range of severe threats to public health.
While the 1967 Act focused on infectious diseases, the bill would also cover infection and contamination from biological, chemical and radiological sources.
Updating the legislation to cover all hazards would bring Northern Ireland’s legislation into line with the rest of the UK.