The right to protest is a fundamental human right, says the Office for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The right to freedom of expression, including political expression, is protected under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The right to freedom of assembly is protected under Article 11 of the ECHR.  

As a public body, the University of Birmingham is required to act in a way that is compatible with our human rights – including protection of the right to freedom of expression and right to protest by staff and students.

Through November and December UNISON, UCU, student groups and staff will peacefully gather in the Gaza Heart on Thursdays at 12 noon for music, speeches, celebration, and mourning.

The walkout on Thursday, 28 November coincides with the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People and the national day of action by trade unions, and will be a high point of the Thursday walkouts.

Staff and students who are timetabled to be in the classroom on Thursdays at 12 noon have been unable to exercise this fundamental human right to celebrate Palestinian life and to protest against the university and government’s complicity in genocide in Gaza. 

The committee wants to provide guidance for staff and students who are in this unique position and want to exercise their right to protest. This is our advice to members:

• Tell your students about the Thursday action; students can participate in the rally and walkout.
• Make clear to your students that if they don’t feel comfortable with the views of the rally that they should not feel pressured to participate.
• If your academic session is timetabled for Thursday at 12 noon, and students in that session want to participate, give them your support for attending the protest and missing this particular academic session; as you would with any other kind of absence (for a job interview, sickness-related) do provide alternative learning arrangements for those students who miss the session.
• Academic staff who have timetabled teaching during that time and want to join the rally and walkout are encouraged to create an alternative session to replace the Thursday 12 noon classroom session for those students who don’t feel comfortable participating in the walkout. You should be clear on your canvas materials how the learning objectives are being met in the alternative learning session.
• Rallies, unlike strike action, are not protected by industrial action law; therefore, you need to show that you fulfil your role’s duties, even as you exercise your right to protest.

We can offer individualised advice to members about participating in the rallies and walkouts. If you feel intimidated or unable  to exercise your freedom of expression, please contact our caseworker email (casework@birminghamucu.org)