| Basic
Human Rights
Human Rights donāt only affect
matters of life and death like freedom from torture
and killing;they also affect your rights in everyday
life;what you can say and do,your beliefs,your
right to a fair trial and many other similar basic
entitlements.
Everybody
has the right to life.
You have the absolute right to have your life
protected by law.There are only certain very limited
circumstances where it is acceptable for the State
to take away someoneās life,e.g if a police officer
acts justifiably in self defence.
No
one should be tortured.
You have the absolute right not to be tortured
or subjected to treatment or punishment which
is inhuman or degrading.
Slavery
and forced labour is prohibited.
You have the absolute right not to be treated
as a slave or forced to perform certain kinds
of labour.
Right
to liberty and security.
You have the right not to be deprived of your
liberty - Īarrested or detained Ī- except in limited
cases specified in the Article (e.g where you
are suspected or convicted of committing a crime
)and where this is justified by a clear legal
procedure.
Right
to a fair trial
You have the right to a fair and public hearing
within a reasonable period of time.This applies
to both criminal charges against you,or in sorting
out cases concerning your civil
rights and obligations.Hearings must be by an
independent and impartial tribunal established
by law.It is possible to exclude the public from
the hearing(though not the judgement)if that is
necessary to protect things like national security
or public order.If it is a criminal charge you
are presumed innocent until proved guilty according
to law and have certain guaranteed rights to defend
yourself.
No
punishment without law.
You normally have the right not to be found guilty
of an offence arising out of actions which at
the time you committed them were not criminal.You
are also protected against later increases in
the possible sentence for an offence.
Right
to respect for private and family life.
You have the right to respect for your private
and family life,your home and your correspondence.This
right can only be restricted in specified circumstances
were limitations vary,but they include things
like protecting public health or safety,preventing
crime,and protecting the rights of others.
Freedom
of thought,conscience and religion.
You are free to hold a broad range of views,beliefs
and thoughts,as well as religious faith.Limitations
are permitted only in specified circumstances.
Freedom
of expression
You have the right to hold opinions and express
your views on your own or in a group.This applies
even if they are unpopular or disturbing.This
right can only be restricted in specified circumstances.
Freedom
of assembly and association.
You have the right to assemble with other people
in a peaceful way.You also have the right to associate
with other people,which can include the right
to form a trade union.These rights may be restricted
only in specified circumstances.
Right
to marry.
Men and women have the right to marry and start
a family.The national law will still govern how
and at what age this can take place.
Prohibition
of discrimination.
You have the right not to be treated differently
because of your race,religion,sex,political views
or any other status,unless this is justified objectively.Everyone
is equal!
Protection
of property.
You have the right to the peaceful enjoyment of
your possessions.Public authorities cannot usually
interfere with the things you own or the way you
use them except in specified limited circumstances.
Right
to education.
You have the right not to be denied access to
the educational system.
Right
of free elections.
Elections for members of the legislative body
such as Parliament ,must be free and fair and
take place by secret ballot.Some qualifications
may be imposed on those that are eligible to vote(e.g
a minimum age).
Abolition
of the death penalty.
These provisions abolish the death penalty.There
can be limited exceptions in times of war but
only in accordance with clearly specified laws.
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