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Human rights

Since the early 1970s, resolutions passed at the BMA’s annual representative meeting (ARM) reveal an increasing preoccupation with issues of human rights and social justice. Motions have included the Make Poverty History campaign, the government's policy on asylum seekers and the position to be adopted to doctors collaborating in torture.

Resolutions have been passed offering support for doctors at home and abroad whose rights have been violated, criticising health professionals who have violated the rights of others, and drawing attention to the rights of marginalised populations to access good quality health care.

The subject of human rights has now been brought together with equality and diversity under the umbrella of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). The EHRC was established by the Equality Act 2006 which merged the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) and the Disability Rights Commission (DRC). The EHRC has the power to enforce legislation in all areas covered by the previous commissions including additionally, sexual orientation, religion and belief and age.

Human rights are based on core principles like dignity, fairness, equality, respect and autonomy. They are relevant to people’s day-to-day life and protect the freedom an individual has to control their own life, effectively take part in decisions made by public authorities which impact upon their rights and get fair and equal services from public authorities. The EHRC will promote the role of human rights and provides guidance on specific human rights that are protected by UK law.

In the BMA’s view, these issues are of central importance to the practice of medicine, underscoring its fundamental commitment to human wellbeing.