Development of Rights in the UK

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History of UK Rights

Since the Magna Carta, there have been several important laws and developments that have increased the rights and protections of those rights of people in the UK.

Magna Carta and Bill of Rights

Magna Carta, 1215:
- Restrictions were imposed on the monarchy to stop the monarch from abusing power.
Bill of Rights, 1689:
- The Bill of Rights introduced more limits on the power of the monarchy.
The Bill of Rights also introduced rights of parliament such as free elections and, parliamentary free speech

Advances in Europe

European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), 1953:
- The ECHR was signed by the UK in 1951, and came into force in 1953. Signing this meant that all UK government actions needed to be in compliance with the ECHR
- Includes articles such as the right to life, and the right to freedom from torture.
European Court of Justice, 1973:
- After the UK joined the European Economic Community, the European Court of Justice protected the rights of UK workers.

Data Protection Act, 1984

The Data Protection Act protected the personal information that public organisations held.

Human Rights Act, 1998

The Human Rights Act meant that the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) became codified into British law.

Freedom of Information Act

The FOIA allowed UK citizens to access some information held by UK public institutions. However, some information, for example relating to national security cannot be accessed.

Equality Act, 2010

The Act brought together all UK anti-discriminatory measures into a single document.
Protects workers and the general public from discrimination.
The act includes different types of discrimination, including age discrimination and disability discrimination.

The Human Rights Act, 1998

The Human Rights Act meant that the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) became codified into British law.

Examples of Use of the Act

There have been a number of cases of the Human Rights Act serving to defend the rights of individuals within the UK.
Abu Qatada, a Jordanian national who was deemed to have connections to terrorist groups, was not able to be deported in 2012 because evidence used against him was gained through torture.
After the Hillsborough disaster, families of victims used the Human Rights Act to force an in-depth inquiry into the deaths.

Effective at protecting rights

The Human rights Act meant that rights became enshrined in a clear way in statute.
The Human Rights Act must be complied with by legislation.
The Human Rights Act has meant that citizens can ensure the protection of their rights through courts in the UK.

Ineffective at protecting rights

As the Human Rights Act has not been entrenched it can be replaced and so does not offer sufficient protection of rights and liberties.
- The Conservative Party has planned to replace the Human Rights Act with a ‘British Bill of Rights’.
The Human Rights Act is limited in its protection as it cannot overturn legislation which has been made in parliament.
The government can ‘set aside’ the Human Rights Act.
- The rights of terror suspects were set aside after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Civil Liberty Pressure Groups

There are several pressure groups involved in research to protect civil liberties in the UK.

Liberty

AKA the National Council for Civil Liberties.
The biggest pressure group protecting civil liberties.
Aim to make sure freedom and rights of individuals and communities are protected.
Work by public campaigning, working with parliament, giving out free advice and analyse policy.
Not affiliated with any political party, and doesn’t receive government funding.
Currently campaigning to end indefinite detention and take the government to court over the Snooper’s Charter.

Unlock Democracy

Formed as Charter88.
Campaign for democratic reform and a participatory democracy.
Campaign for a written constitution in the UK to protect the rights of citizens, empower local communities and institute proportional representation.
Grassroots campaign, so work in local communities at the ground-level.
Not affiliated with any political party.