Political Participation & Democracy - The Development of Rights

Table Of Different Rights:
Year
Milestone
Summary
1215
 Magna Carta
 Imposed various restrictions on the monarchy in order to prevent abuse from the monarch
1689
 Bill Of Rights
 Imposed greater levels on the power of the monarchy and set out rights of Parliament including free elections
1953
 European Convention Of Human Rights
 Signed in 1950, government actions had to comply with the ECHR where you could challenge the government
1973
 European Court Of Justice
 UK joined the ECC (the EU). Power to protect the worker rights in the UK
1984
 Data Protection Act
 Protection of personal information held by public institutions updated in 1988 and 1998.
1998
 Human Rights Act
 Made ECHR into UK law, replacing common law and allowing citizens to have rights protection
2000
 Freedom Of Information
 Allowed citizens to access non-security information held by institutions
2010
 Equality Act
 Coded all anti-discriminate into one document.
What Is The Human Rights Act:
  • Have many of the provisions of the ECHR
  • It meant only people with resources and means could challenge the government action but it had to be brought to a foreign court.
  • Became British law
  • Easier for ordinary citizens to seek legal help in courts if rights have been infringed
  • Rapid development of ‘rights culture’ in the UK
Why Does Stonewall Love the HRA:
  • Right to live and work freely – legislation to protect people from discrimination
  • Right to love – LGBT people can start a family, legislation to protect rights to a family life
  • Right to be who we are – Gender recognition acts providing rights for transgender people
  • Right to be safe – LGBT people to be free from bullying in the workplace and at schools because of who you are
  • Right to be accepted – In the UK people are protected but internationally they are not. The legislation is needed.
What Is The HRA:
  • Legislation that protects human rights
  • Makes sure rights become the UK law
  • You can defend your rights in a UK court
  • Made after WW2 to protect human rights
Why Are They So Important:
  • Protects all of us
  • Good for families but not LGBT people and this lets them start a family or let them serve in the military
  • Public bodies have to take our rights into account when making decisions about housing, healthcare etc.
  • Enable LBGT equality over the last 18 years. Wants everyone to be accepted as they are in the UK.
Pressure Groups And Rights:
  • Raise awareness of the threat to rights, promote rights of people and puts pressure on the government to ensure these rights are protected.
  • Examples: Liberty, amnesty interaction, centre on housing rights and evictions, witness.
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