My Speech at the European Parliament in Brussels
Dear friends,
About six months ago I gave a speech at the European Parliament in Brussels, a few months prior to my speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. While I have shared the video recording of the latter speech here, for one reason or another, I neglected to share the recording of my (two-part) speech in Brussels. I do so now. You can find the videos below.
In my speech, I argue that it makes no sense to try to force medical treatments down the throats of the population (as was done during the corona crisis). First of all, such shouldn’t happen for ethical reasons. Not even if the majority of the population wants it. As the French philosopher and politician Tocqueville said in the 19th century, a democracy is not merely a form of government where the majority rules; it is a form of government where the majority rules while respecting the fundamental rights of minorities. And one of the most important of these rights is the right to self-determination – especially when it comes to medical treatments.
Beyond this ethical argument, there are also several intellectual arguments that could be presented. In my speech, I mention only one, namely the importance of the patient’s subjective appreciation of a treatment. A substantial portion of the effectiveness of medical treatments, up to 80% or even more, is caused by the so-called placebo effect. In his book The Powerful Placebo, Arthur Shapiro even claims that “the history of medicine equates to the history of the placebo effect in treatment”.
Undoubtly, different researchers will come to different conclusions regarding the power of the placebo effect. And for reasons I won't delve into now, I don't advocate for replacing most treatments with placebo versions, despite the strength of the placebo effect. But what the placebo clearly demonstrates is that the very nature of the human being necessitates that medical treatments always be tailored to the patient’s singular preferences and characteristics. In my opinion, that is what characterizes healthcare in a truly human society: the full respect for the unique psychological and physical characteristics of every patient.
I gave this speech in the context of the power grab the WHO is attempting to achieve through a series of amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR). If successful, this power grab would allow the Director-General of the WHO to declare a state of medical emergency on his own authority. And this in turn would pave the way for global institutions, without any democratic legitimacy, to impose top-down medical treatments on the population. That’s why I spoke out at the European Parliament and that’s why I think we should all speak out – whether you look at it from an intellectual, pragmatic or ethical point of view, such medical practices have no place in a truly humane and enlightened society.
You have become a gifted speaker, Mattias, over the last two years of following you and your voice. It is as if you were seated at the dinner table, perhaps the kitchen table, sharing your thoughts and concerns, in an unpretentious way.
in 2020 several persons have been arrested at the famous Speakers Corner at Hyde Park, for daring to speak out against the British Government, among which Heiko Schoening, the famous German Doctor, who was held captive in solitary isolation. Hyde park Speakers Corner, where even Lenin, Karl Marx, Engels, have been allowed to ventilate their critisism over the British government. It had NEVER EVER happened in history before. When I see this happening here at the European Parliament, I have hope. Hope that they are loosing control , and that we, the People , are gradually and steadily taking back the control.