Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
A shortintroduction
Introduction
Thisguideisdesignedforofficialsinpublicauthoritiesto assisttheminworkingwiththeHumanRightsAct1998 whichhasbeendescribedasthemostimportantpieceof constitutionallegislationpassedintheUnitedKingdomsince theachievementofuniversalsuffragein1918. Ittellsyou(atpages6to9)whatrightsare containedinthe HumanRightsAct.It explainsatpage3how,incertain circumstances,rightscanberefusedorrestrictedin particularwhere there isarealandseriousdangerto publicsafety. Thisguideisshortandsimple.Itgivesyouabrief introductiontohumanrightsforuseinstraightforward situations.More detailedguidancecanbefoundinthe humanrightshandbookforpublicofficials,HumanRights andHumanLives, producedbytheMinistry of Justice.
If youareunsureaboutanything,seeklegaladvice.
Makingsenseofhumanrights:ashortintroduction
Whatarehumanrights?
Humanrightsarerightsandfreedomsthatbelongtoall individualsregardlessoftheirnationalityandcitizenship. Theyarefundamentallyimportantinmaintainingafairand civilisedsociety.
WhatistheEuropeanConventionon HumanRights?
TheEuropeanConventiononHumanRights(ECHR)was draftedbythenationsoftheCouncilofEurope(includingthe UK)intheaftermathofWorldWarII.TheCouncilofEurope wasfoundedtodefendhumanrights,parliamentary democracyandtheruleoflaw,andtoensurethatthe atrocitiesandcrueltiescommittedduringthewarwould neverberepeated.
WhatistheHumanRightsAct?
InOctober2000,TheHumanRightsActcameintoeffectin theUK.ThismeantthatpeopleintheUKcouldtakecases abouttheirhumanrightsintoaUKcourt.Previouslythey hadtotakecomplaintsabouttheirhumanrightstothe EuropeanCourtofHumanRightsinStrasbourg,France.The rightscontainedintheConventionare includedatSchedule 1 oftheHumanRightsAct.ForthepurposesoftheHuman RightsActtheyare knownasthe ConventionRights.
Makingsenseofhumanrights:ashortintroduction
WhataretheConventionrights?
Thereare16basicrightsintheHumanRightsActalltaken fromtheEuropeanConventiononHumanRights.Asyou wouldexpect,theyconcernmattersoflifeanddeath,like freedomfromtortureandbeingkilled,buttheyalsocover rightsineverydaylife,suchaswhatapersoncansayand do,theirbeliefs,theirrighttoafairtrialandmanyother similarbasicentitlements.Theyarelistedatpages6to9.
CanIeverrefuseorrestrictarightthat someoneisclaiming?
Sometimesespeciallyifthere isarealandseriousdanger topublicsafety.NotallConventionrightscarrythesame weight.Theycanbegroupedintothreebroadtypes:
Absoluterightssuchastherighttoprotectionfrom
tortureandinhumananddegradingtreatment(Article3). Thestatecanneverwithholdortakeawaytheserights.
Limitedrightssuchastherighttoliberty(Article5).
Theserightsmaybelimitedunderexplicitandfinite circumstances.Ifindoubt,seeklegaladvice.
Qualifiedrightsrightswhichrequireabalancebetween
therightsoftheindividualandtheneedsofthewider communityorstateinterest.Theseinclude:therightto respectforprivateandfamilylife(Article8);theright tomanifestonesreligionorbeliefs(Article9);freedom ofexpression(Article10);freedomofassemblyand association(Article11);the righttopeacefulenjoyment ofproperty(Protocol1,Article 1);and,tosomeextent, therighttoeducation(Protocol1,Article2).
Makingsenseofhumanrights:ashortintroduction
Interferencewithqualifiedrightsispermissibleonlyif:
thereisaclearlegalbasisfortheinterferencewiththe
qualifiedrightthatpeoplecanfindoutaboutand understand,and
theaction/interferenceseekstoachievealegitimateaim.
Legitimateaimsaresetoutineacharticlecontaininga qualifiedrightandtheyvaryfromarticletoarticle.They include,forexample,theinterestsofnationalsecurity, the preventionofdisorderorcrime,andpublicsafety.Any interferencewithoneoftherightscontainedinArticles 811mustfallunderoneofthepermittedaimssetoutin therelevantarticle,and
theactionisnecessaryinademocraticsociety.This
meansthattheactionorinterferencemustbeinresponse toapressingsocialneed,andmustbenogreaterthan thatnecessarytoaddressthesocialneed. Ifyouhaveanydoubtsaboutwhetherarightcanbe refusedorrestricted,seeklegaladvicewithoutdelay.
Makingsenseofhumanrights:ashortintroduction
HowdoIknowthatIamrespecting humanrights?
Theflowchartinthisbookletscentrespreadgivesyou broad guidanceonreachingadecisionthatmightrestrict someonesrights,andisdesignedtohelpyouinapplying humanrightsintheworkplace.Itwillbeparticularlyrelevant whenyouhavetoconsiderbalancingonerightagainst another,oronepersonsrightsagainsttheinterestsof society. Theflowchartisfairlyselfexplanatory.However,ifyou wouldliketounderstanditingreaterdetail,youcanfinda fullexplanationatpage56ofthehumanrightshandbook Humanrights:humanlives.
TheConventionrights
Article2:Righttolife
A personhastherighttohavetheirlifeprotectedbylaw. Thereareonlycertainverylimitedcircumstanceswhereitis acceptableforthestatetotakeawaysomeoneslife,e.g.ifa policeofficeractsjustifiablyinselfdefence.
Article3:Prohibitionoftorture
A personhastheabsoluterightnottobetorturedor subjectedtotreatmentorpunishmentwhichisinhuman or degrading.
Article4:Prohibitionofslaveryand forcedlabour
A personhastheabsoluterightnottobetreatedasaslave ortoberequiredtoperformforcedorcompulsorylabour.
Article5:Righttolibertyandsecurity
A personhastherightnottobedeprivedoftheirliberty arrestedordetainedexceptinlimitedcasesspecifiedin thearticle(e.g.wheretheyaresuspectedorconvictedof committingacrime)andprovidedthere isaproperlegal basisinUKlaw.
Article6:Righttoafairtrial
A personhastherighttoafairandpublichearingwithina reasonableperiodoftime.Thisappliesbothtocriminal 6
Makingsenseofhumanrights:ashortintroduction
Article7:Nopunishmentwithoutlaw
A personnormallyhastherightnottobefoundguiltyofan offencearisingoutofactionswhichatthetimethey committedthemwerenotcriminal.Theyarealsoprotected againstlaterincreasesinthemaximumpossiblesentencefor anoffence. Apartfromtherighttoholdparticularbeliefs,therights inArticles8to11maybelimitedwherethatisnecessary toachieveanimportantobjective.Thepreciseobjectives forwhichlimitationsarepermittedaresetoutineach article,buttheyincludethingslikeprotectingpublic healthorsafety,preventing crimeandprotectingthe rightsofothers.
Article8:Righttorespectforprivate andfamilylife
A personhastherighttorespectfortheirprivateandfamily life,theirhomeandtheircorrespondence.Thisrightcanbe restrictedonlyinspecifiedcircumstances. 7
Makingsenseofhumanrights:ashortintroduction
Article9:Freedomofthought, conscienceandreligion
A personisfreetoholdabroadrangeofviews,beliefsand thoughts,andtofollowareligiousfaith.Therighttomanifest thosebeliefsmaybelimitedonlyinspecifiedcircumstances.
Article10:Freedomofexpression
A personhastherighttoholdopinionsandexpresstheir viewsontheirownorinagroup.Thisappliesevenifthose viewsareunpopularordisturbing.Thisrightcanbe restrictedonlyinspecifiedcircumstances.
Article12:Righttomarry
Menandwomenhavetherighttomarryandstartafamily. Nationallawwillstillgovernhowandatwhatagethiscan takeplace. (Article13 isnotincludedintheHumanRightsAct.)
Article14:Prohibitionofdiscrimination
IntheapplicationoftheConventionrights,apersonhasthe rightnottobetreateddifferentlybecauseoftheirrace, 8 continuedonpage9
Flowchart Exit NO
There is no need to continue with this checklist. However be alert to any possibility that your policy may discriminate against anyone in the exercise of a Convention right legal advice may still be necessary: if in any doubt, contact your lawyer things may change, and you may need to reassess the situation
YES NO
YES YES
2.2 NO
Does the restriction have a legitimate aim? AND Is there a legal basis for the restriction? AND
2.3
YES
Is the restriction necessary in a democratic society? AND
Will the right be limited only to the extent set out in the relevant Article of the ECHR?
Are you sure you are not using a sledgehammer to crack a nut?
YES
YES
NO
Policy/decision is not likely to be human rights compliant
BUT
Regardless of the answers to these questions, once human rights are being interfered with in a restrictive manner you should obtain legal advice. And you should always seek legal advice if your policy is likely to discriminate against anyone in the exercise of a Convention right
Makingsenseofhumanrights:ashortintroduction
Article1ofProtocol1:Protection ofproperty
(A protocolisalateradditiontotheConvention.) A personhastherighttothepeacefulenjoymentoftheir possessions.Publicauthoritiescannotusuallyinterferewith thingspeopleownorthewaytheyusethem,exceptin specifiedlimitedcircumstances.
Article2ofProtocol1:Righttoeducation
A personhastherightnottobedeniedaccesstothe educationalsystem.
Article3ofProtocol1:Rightto freeelections
Electionsformembersofthelegislativebody(e.g. Parliament)mustbefreeandfairandtakeplacebysecret ballot.Somequalificationsmaybeimposedonwhois eligibletovote(e.g.aminimumage).
Article1ofProtocol13:Abolitionofthe deathpenalty
Theseprovisionsabolishthedeathpenalty.
Humanrightsinpractice
WhatdoestheHumanRightsActmean forpublicauthorities?
TheHumanRightsActhasthefollowingimplicationsforthe workofpublicauthorities:
Itmakesitunlawfulforpublicauthorities(theseinclude
centralandlocalgovernment,thepoliceandthecourts)to actinawaythatisincompatiblewithaConventionright.
Anyonewhofeelsthatapublicauthorityhasacted
incompatiblywiththeirConventionrightscanraisethis before anappropriateUKcourtortribunal.
WhatdoestheHumanRightsActmean foryouasapublicofficial?
AllpublicauthoritiesintheUKhaveanobligationtorespect theConventionrights.Thatmeansthatyoumustunderstand thoserightsandtakethemintoaccountinyourdaytoday work.Thatisthecasewhetheryouaredeliveringaservice directlytothepublicordevisingnewpolicies orprocedures.
Pointstoremember
Therightsofanindividualshouldneverbeallowedto
obscurepublicsafety.
Ifyouareunsure,oramatterisparticularlycomplex,
considerseekinglegaladvice.
10
Makingsenseofhumanrights:ashortintroduction
Balancingonepersonsrightsagainst thoseofthecommunity
ThefactthatapolicyordecisionrestrictsaConventionright doesnotnecessarilymeanthatitwillbeincompatiblewith theECHR.Itisafundamentalresponsibilityofthestate arisingfromArticle2oftheConventionitselftotake appropriatestepstoprotectthesafetyofitscitizens.In particular,ifarestrictionofaqualifiedrighthasalegitimate aim,suchaspublicsafety,andtherestrictionitselfdoes notgoanyfurtherthannecessarytoprotectthisaim,then itislikelythatitwillbecompatiblewiththeConvention. TheConventionrecognisesthattherearesituationswherea statemustbeallowedtodecidewhatisinthebestinterests ofitscitizens,andenablesastate,orpublicauthorityacting onbehalfofthestate,torestricttherightsofindividuals accordingly.
11
Frequentlyaskedquestions
WhatdoestheHumanRightsActdo?
ItmakesthehumanrightscontainedintheECHR enforceableinUKlaw.Thismeansthatitisunlawfulfor a publicauthoritytoactinawaythatisincompatiblewith a Conventionright.Anyonewhofeelsthatoneormoreof theirrightshasbeenbreachedbyapublicauthoritycan raisethematterinanappropriatecourtortribunal.Ifthey areunhappywiththecourtsdecisionandhavepursuedthe issueasfarasitcangointheUK,theymaytaketheir complainttotheEuropeanCourtofHumanRights.
Dojudgesnowhavemorepowerthan electedpoliticians?
Thesimpleanswerisno.Judgesmustinterpretlegislation as faraspossibleinawaythatiscompatiblewiththe Conventionrights.Ifthisisnotpossible,courtscanstrike downincompatiblesecondarylegislation(lawmadeby ministersunderpowersgrantedtotheminActsof Parliament),or canmakeadeclarationofincompatibility inrelationtoprimarylegislation(ActsofParliament). Theycannotstrikedownprimarylegislation.
12
Makingsenseofhumanrights:ashortintroduction
Whatisadeclarationofincompatibility?
A declarationofincompatibilitysendsasignalfromthe courtstoParliamentthattheUKmaybebreachingits internationalobligationsundertheECHR.Parliamentdoes nothavetochangethelaw:itretainsitssovereigntyasthe UKs lawmakingbody.
WhatdifferencedoestheHumanRights Actmake?
TheprincipaleffectoftheHumanRightsActistoenable peopletoenforcetheirhumanrightsinthedomesticcourts. Itshouldmeanthatpeopleacrosssocietyaretreatedwith respectfortheirhumanrights,promotingvaluessuchas dignity, fairness,equalityandrespect.
13
Makingsenseofhumanrights:ashortintroduction
Whatisapublicauthority?
TheHumanRightsActsaysthatpeoplecarryingoutcertain functionsofapublicnaturewillfallwithinthepublicauthority definition.Thecourtsarestilldecidingexactlywhatthis means.Thefollowingaredefinitelypublicauthorities:
14
Makingsenseofhumanrights:ashortintroduction
Doallnewlawshavetobecompatible withtheHumanRightsAct?
WhenaministerintroducesaBilltoParliamenttheyare requiredtoconfirminwritingthat,intheirview,theBillis compatiblewithConventionrights,orthattheyareunableto saythatitiscompatiblebutthattheywishtoproceedwith theBillanyway.Thereforeitispossiblefornewlegislationto beincompatible.
WhocanbringacaseundertheHuman RightsAct?
Anyvictimcan.ItisnotnecessarytobeaUKcitizen. Anyonestartingproceedingsmusthavebeendirectly affectedbyanactoromissionofapublicauthority.
15
Isanyotherguidanceonthe HumanRightsActavailable?
Humanrights:humanlives a handbookforofficials
A GuidetotheHumanRightsAct1998:ThirdEdition
Ifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutthisguidebookorabout
humanrightsingeneral,theHumanRightsDivisionofthe Ministry of Justice (MoJ)willbepleased tohelp.Youcan contactthemon0203334 3734,or humanrights@justice.gsi.gov.uk. Youcanalsoaccessa rangeofusefulinformationonMoJsHumanRights websiteatwww.justice.gov.uk/a-z/humanrights.htm
16