Human Rights

Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person in the world. Human rights are based on core principles like dignity, fairness, equality, respect and autonomy. They are relevant to your day-to-day life and protect your freedom to control your own life, effectively take part in decisions made by public authorities which impact upon your rights and get fair and equal services from public authorities.  

At the heart of human rights is the belief that everybody should be treated equally and with dignity no matter what their circumstances. This means that nobody should be tortured or treated in an inhuman or degrading way. It also means that nobody has the right to 'own' another person or to force them to work under threat of punishment. 

Human Rights Act 

Human rights are regulated in the United Kingdom under The Human Rights Act 1998 (also known as the Act or the HRA). All public bodies (such as courts, police, local governments, hospitals, publicly funded schools, and others) and voluntary, public and private sector organisations carrying out public functions have to comply with this legislation.

Your community group may be carrying out a public function if it:-

• undertakes work through a service agreement or contract with the council
• provides a public service that is dependent on powers from a statute or other rules and regulations  
• provides a public service that government or a local authority might otherwise be doing

The Human Rights Act sets out the fundamental rights and freedoms that individuals in the UK have access to. These include:-

• right to life
• freedom from torture and inhuman or degrading treatment
• right to liberty and security
• freedom from slavery and forced labour
• right to a fair trial
• no punishment without law
• respect for your private and family life, home and correspondence
• freedom of thought, belief and religion
• freedom of expression
• freedom of assembly and association
• right to marry and start a family
• protection from discrimination in respect of these rights and freedoms
• right to peaceful enjoyment of your property
• right to education
• right to participate in free elections

It is important your community group understands the rights and freedoms guaranteed to people under the Human Rights Act. It will help you support and represent your users/clients members, staff and volunteers more effectively. It should also inform your policies and practices.

Failure to comply with the provisions of the Act could result in individuals challenging an organisation for a contravention of one or more of the rights contained in it. If the challenge was successful the court may award them damages, which the organisation would have to pay.

What does your group need to do? 

Human Rights should underpin all your policies and practices:-

• start by carrying out a review of all your existing procedures. Identify any potential human rights points and decide what action you need to take to become compliant
• organise training for your staff to ensure they are aware of the implications of the Act and keep your organisation up to date with Human Rights developments

For more information visit your local support organisation

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Last Updated 21/02/2013 09:06