Protection of rights in the UK
- Created by: xmeganbakerx
- Created on: 16-04-19 14:36
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- Rights and responsibilities in the UK
- Development of rights in UK
- HRA 1998: brought ECHR into UK law. It strengthened the protection of a whole range of rights and liberties. It made civil liberties a firm part of UK law.
- Freedom of Information Act 2000: gave citizens the right to view information held by public bodies in two categories.
- 1) Information held about themselves.
- 2) Information which may be of public interest.
- Only exception is information which might threaten national security if published.
- Equality Act 2010: replaced several existing pieces of legislation establishing UK rights. It outlaws discrimination on basis of gender, ethnicity, religion, disablement and sexual orientation.
- Strengths of protection of rights
- There is strong common law tradition.
- UK is subject to the ECHR.
- Judiciary has a reputation for being independent and upholding rule of law even against expressed wishes of government and Parliament. Civil rights are basically guaranteed.
- Weaknesses of protection of rights
- Common law can be vague and disputed.
- Parliament remains sovereign and can ignore the ECHR or repeal the HRA altogether.
- Increasing pressure on government, as a result of international terrorism, to curtail rights in interests of national security.
- The right to privacy, rights of association and expression as well as freedom from imprisonment without trial are all threatened.
- Responsibility
- Undisputed
- To obey the law.
- To pay taxes.
- To undertake jury duty if needed.
- Disputed
- To serve in armed forces when under attack.
- To vote in elections and referenda.
- To respect rights of all citizens
- To respect dominant values of society.
- Undisputed
- How do individual rights conflict with collective rights?
- Freedom of expression - right of religious groups not to have their beliefs satirised or questioned.
- Right to privacy - right of the community to be protected from terrorism by security services who may listen in to private communications.
- Right to press freedom - right of public figures to keep private lives private.
- Right to demonstrate in public places (right to association and free movement) and thus cause disruption - right of the community to own freedom of movement.
- Right to strike in pursuit of pay and employment rights - right of the community to expect good service from public servants who are paid from taxation.
- Development of rights in UK
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