A BMA-backed declaration reaffirming medical neutrality has been adopted unanimously at the World Medical Association’s General Assembly in Rotterdam.

Known henceforth as the Declaration of Rotterdam, the statement reaffirms the duties of doctors and medical personnel, as well as those of nation states and parties of a conflict, to protect healthcare workers, patients and the provision of healthcare in conflict.

The Declaration includes recommendations:

• For the United Nations to establish a Special Rapporteur on the protection of health in armed conflict and other situations of violence.
• For all national medical associations to publicly oppose violations of medical neutrality, including those committed by their own State, and refrain from endorsing or remaining silent on such violations.
• For states and de facto authorities to ensure that allegations of violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) affecting healthcare, are subject to independent and impartial investigations under national law and/or are referred to competent international accountability mechanisms, such as the International Criminal Court, when required.

The recommendation for a UN Special Rapporteur was first proposed by the BMA in last year’s landmark report, ‘Medicine Under Attack’, which analysed the evolving nature of warfare and its impact on healthcare.

BMA representative body chair Dr Amit Kochhar said:

“In an increasingly hostile world, it’s imperative that the principle of medical neutrality is upheld, ensuring that doctors and healthcare workers in conflict zones can continue to provide – and people are able to receive – vital and often life-saving care without coming under attack.

“As doctors in the UK we have watched on in horror in recent years as medical neutrality has been breached in conflicts across the world – including those in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan and Myanmar - and as this declaration makes clear, we have a duty to speak out against such violations.”

BMA international committee chair Dr Kitty Mohan said:

“Doctors enter medicine ultimately to help people, heal the sick and ease suffering. Our job is to treat the patient in front of us based on their clinical need, not on their nationality of political affiliation.

“This declaration, which the BMA helped draft and was backed by all national medical associations at the General Assembly, is a timely and urgent reminder of the duties not only of the global medical profession, but of authorities around the world to uphold medical neutrality and protect healthcare under international humanitarian law.

“We are particularly pleased that our recommendation for a UN Special Rapporteur on the protection of health in armed conflict was adopted by the WMA. It is vital that where violations are alleged, they are independently investigated and offending parties are held to account.”

Ends

Notes to editors

The BMA is a professional association and trade union representing and negotiating on behalf of all doctors in the UK. A leading voice advocating for outstanding health care and a healthy population. An association providing members with excellent individual services and support throughout their lives.