YOUR HUMAN RIGHTS
THE HUMAN RIGHTS ACT IS FOR EVERYONE
Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms all people should be guaranteed.
They are universal, apply equally to everyone and are founded on the principle of dignity for every human being.
Human rights were first recognised internationally by the Universal Declaration on Human Rights in 1948, in the aftermath of the Second World War. This was quickly followed by the adoption, two years later, of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The Human Rights Act makes the rights and freedoms in the European Convention on Human Rights directly enforceable in the UK.
It means you can defend your rights in UK courts and it compels public organisations – like the Government, police and local councils – to treat everyone equally, with fairness, dignity and respect.
Find out more about your rights and how the Human Rights Act protects them.
RIGHT TO LIFE
The State must protect our lives – and investigate properly if someone dies in unexpected or suspicious circumstances.
NO TORTURE
Nobody should ever be tortured or treated in an inhuman or degrading way – no matter what the situation.
NO SLAVERY
We must never be treated like slaves or made to work against our will – and authorities must always fully investigate suspected slavery.
RIGHT TO LIBERTY
We all have the right to liberty. It can only be taken away in certain circumstances – and there must be strong legal safeguards to protect us if we’re detained.
FAIR TRIALS
We are innocent until proven guilty. If we’re accused of a crime, we have the right to hear evidence against us before a Judge in a public court.
NO PUNISHMENT WITHOUT LAW
We can’t be found guilty of a crime if it wasn’t against the law when it was committed – and the government must make clear which actions are crime.
A PRIVATE AND FAMILY LIFE
Nobody should be able to secretly watch what we’re doing without good reason – and we have the right to enjoy a family life in the way we choose.
FREEDOM OF RELIGION OR BELIEF
We all have the right to express ourselves freely and hold our own opinions – even if our views are unpopular or could upset or offend others.
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
We have the right to express ourselves freely and hold our own opinions – even if our views are unpopular or could upset or offend others.
RIGHT TO PROTEST
We have the right to come together with others and peacefully express our views. Authorities must allow us to take part in marches, protests and demonstrations.
RIGHT TO MARRY
As long as we’re legally old enough, we have the right to marry whoever we want and to raise a family.
NO DISCRIMINATION
We shouldn’t be treated unfairly or differently – or denied our rights – because of our gender, age, race, religion or beliefs, sexual orientation, disability or anything else.
PROTECTION OF PROPERTY
The things we own belong to us – and we have the right to enjoy them if we’re not bothering anyone else.
RIGHT TO EDUCATION
All children and young people have the right to an education – and the Government must do everything it can to help them have one.
RIGHT TO FREE ELECTIONS
The right to free elections is crucial to establishing and maintaining the foundations of an effective and meaningful democracy governed by the rule of law.