Rights in the UK Flashcards
Describe the Magna Carta
(1215) It established that the King and his gov. wasn’t above the law, restricted power to prevent the abuse of power. Established the idea of consultative government.
Describe the Bill of Rights
(1689) It established principles of frequent parliaments, free elections and freedom of speech within Parliament, further limiting powers and lowering the level of protection given to human rights as it weakened the ability to enforce rights through courts to hold the state accountable for human rights violation.
Describe the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)
(1953) It protects everyone in the UK. Ensured gov. actions complied with the ECHR and could be and could only be challenged in the European Court of Human Rights
Describe the Data Protection Act
(1984) It established the right to know if an organisation was processing personal data and the right to have a copy of the info sets out how to make sure data is used properly and fairly
Describe the Human Rights Act
(1998)
- Incorporated the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) into UK law.
- Citizens can challenge law in UK courts rather then going to the European Courts.
- UK courts can issue a ‘declaration of incompatibility’ that can put pressure on the government.
Describe the Freedom of Information Act
(2000)
- Introduced to create a more political transparent system of government
- Gives citizens the ‘right to know’ information regarding how and who made decisions
- Allows the public to access files from any gov body. Any person can request info and has a right to have that info given to them. Some exceptions when it affects nation security.
Describe the Equality Act
(2010) Legally protects people from discrimination of: race, disability, gender reassignment, marriage of civil partnership, race, religion or sexual orientation. It simplified Acts of Parliament to protect different groups.
