British Medical Association passes two motions in support of doctors who undertake non-violent direct action at Annual Representatives Meeting

Doctors at the BMA’s Annual Representative Meeting (ARM) today voted overwhelmingly in favour of two motions which express support for doctors undertaking non-violent direct action in breach of the law, and calls on the BMA to lobby for protections against disciplinary actions against them.

The motions passed, and the regions presenting them to the ARM are shown below:

Motion 24 by Lothian Division

This meeting recognises that climate change is a public health emergency and:

i) Affirms that doctors have an ethical duty to advocate for urgent action;
ii) Condemns any punitive action, including regulatory complaints or employment repercussions, against doctors who engage in non-violent climate activism;
iii) Calls on the BMA Professional Regulation Committee to push for explicit protections within employment contracts, GMC processes, and workplace policies to ensure doctors do not face career detriment for engaging in non- violent climate advocacy;
v) Calls on UK Council, and devolved national councils where appropriate, to lobby for a change in the law ensuring clarity of position: climate emergency focussed protest must be viewed as a legitimate means to an end for doctors and not be criminalised.

Motion 48 by NORTH WEST REGIONAL COUNCIL:

This meeting:

i) Is horrified that some defendants prosecuted for non-violent protest have been refused the opportunity to explain their motives to the jury and have been given prison sentences longer than those imposed on right-wing rioters;
ii) recognises that it is a mark of tyrannical regimes that they seek to destroy the careers of those who challenge them, and therefore believes that professional regulatory bodies should as a matter of principle decline to take disciplinary action against those convicted of forms of civil disobedience which do not involve violence to the person;
iii) will continue to regard any doctors erased from the register for non-violent protest as professional colleagues in good standing and directs the Organisation Committee to consider whether any changes in the article and bye-laws are necessary to implement this policy.

Health for Extinction Rebellion would like to express our gratitude at the solidarity shown by those presenting and supporting the above motions.

Health workers protesting outside the GMC offices in London demand an end to the persecution of climate activist doctors