UCL-UCU: General Meeting - Motions and amendments agreed today

This is to report on the decisions taken at today's General Meeting to debate our response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

We received two motions for debate, and two amendments to motion 1.

After a thorough debate the meeting voted to support motion 1 (with minor drafting amendments) as amended by amendment A;  for the final text please see Appendix 1 below. Amendment B to motion 1 fell. Motion 2 also fell.

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Appendix 1 - Motion 1 as amended (carried)

Oppose the invasion of Ukraine - for peace not escalation

UCL UCU stands united in our condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. We declare our support for the human rights of those under occupation or suffering oppression.

UCL UCU resolves to:

1. Call on the UK Government to allow unconditional entry to the UK to refugees displaced by and fleeing this conflict, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, or citizenship.
2. Offer our solidarity to any colleagues and students directly and indirectly affected by these events.
3. Support all those calling for peace, including those in very difficult circumstances in Russia and Belarus, and to call on all governments – including our own – to bring about a peaceful end to this war.
4. Call on UK universities to facilitate the resettlement of refugee staff and students.
5. Call on UK universities to suspend all institutional cooperation and funding arrangements with all state-funded academic institutions in Russia, and in particular those whose leadership signed a statement by the Russian Union of Rectors dated 4 March 2022 endorsing the Russian invasion of Ukraine. UCL UCU supports constructive engagement with Russian colleagues and students on an individual basis, in particular those who may be suffering from, or in danger of suffering from, persecution in Russia.