Rights in context Flashcards
Civil rights
Encompass the rights that individuals and the public are all entitled to
Individual rights
Are rights such as the right to privacy and freedom of expression which all individuals can claim
Collective rights
Are those which society can claim such as **the right to be protected from violence, the right to clean enviroment and the right to roam the countryside **
What are uk civil rights protected by?
- The Magna Carta 1215 - provides the foundation for british civil rights stating that law should be impartial and that no free man should be convicted of crime unless fairly tried
- Supreme court Bill of rights 1689
- Acts of parliament Somerset v Stewart
- Entick v Carrington
- Representation of people act 1928 - this established the principle of univerisal suffrage in the UK
Human rights since 1997
- Human Rights Act 1998
- Freedom of information act 2000
- Equality act 2010
Human Rights Act 1998
Incorporates the european convention on human rights into UK law
Came into force in 2000
British citizens now state a clear statement of their civil liberties which is enforceable in British courts
The HRA clearly establishes the positive rights that we are all equally eligible for, such as the right to life and the right to fair hearing
Freedom of information act 2000
This established a right to access to information held by public bodies so as long as it does not compromise national security
The act provides the public with the opportunity to know more about the way in which public bodies such as the National Health Service operates aswell as being able to operate the information held about them
E.g. the MPS expenses scandal in 2009 was exposed through this act
Equality act 2010
Previous Race relations act, The equal pay act 1970
Equality act 2010 established equality for all citizens and consolidates exisiting legislation and states that in public life discrimination is illegal in: Age, Disibility, Gender reassignment, Race, Religion and belief, Sex, Sexual orientation, Marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity
Civic responsiblity
Civic responsibility is the duty to participate in and support the well-being of one’s community or society.
E.g. Voting in elections, paying taxes
Civic restrictions
Actions of individuals can be restricted if they feel that they will harm or endanger collective good of society
Usually when there is a threat to national security
Acts to restrict civil liberties?
The anti terrorism crime and security act 2001
ATCSA 2001 - gave the govt legal power to imprision foreign terrorist suspects indefinitely without trial
Crime and police act 2005
Limited the right of protest outside parliament and created a new offence of inciting religious hatred
Investigatory powers act 2016
Authorises the retention of personal electronic data and its access for law enforcement
Terrorism act 2005
Extended the time for which terrorist suspects can be held without charge to 28 days and made glorifying terrorism a crime
