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.

Find out more about the Human Rights Act

A Vigil Is Held For The 96 Victims Of Hillsborough — Without the Human Rights Act and Article 2, a new inquest into the Hillsborough disaster may never have happened and the families and survivors of Hillsborough would never have got the justice they deserved.

I. HAVE THE RIGHT TO LIFE

The State must protect our lives – and investigate properly if someone dies in unexpected or suspicious circumstances.

I. MUST NOT BE TORTURED

Nobody should ever be tortured or treated in an inhuman or degrading way – no matter what the situation.

I. MUST NEVER BE ENSLAVED

We must never be treated like slaves or made to work against our will – and authorities must always fully investigate suspected slavery.

I. HAVE THE 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.

I. HAVE THE RIGHT TO A FAIR TRIAL

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.

I. must not be punished 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.

I. have the right to respect for my 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.

I. have the right to freedom of thought

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.

I. can express myself freely

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.

I. have the 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.

I. can marry who I choose

As long as we’re legally old enough, we have the right to marry whoever we want and to raise a family.

I. must not be discriminated against

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.

I. have the right to respect for my property

The things we own belong to us – and we have the right to enjoy them if we’re not bothering anyone else.

I. have the 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.

I. have the right to vote

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.

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