Makingsenseof humanrights

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

(Article1 isintroductoryandisnotincorporatedintothe HumanRightsAct.)

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

chargesagainstthemandtocasesconcerningtheircivil rightsandobligations.Hearingsmustbecarriedoutbyan independentandimpartialtribunalestablishedbylaw.Itis possibletoexcludethepublicfromthehearing(thoughnot fromthejudgment)ifitisnecessarytoprotectthingslike nationalsecurityorpublicorder.Ifitisacriminalcharge,the personispresumedinnocentuntilprovenguiltyaccordingto lawandhascertainguaranteedrightstodefendthemselves.

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.

Article11:Freedomofassembly and association

A personhastherighttoassemblewithotherpeopleina peacefulway. Theyalsohavetherighttoassociatewith otherpeople,whichincludestherighttoformatradeunion. Theserightsmayberestrictedonlyinspecified circumstances.

Article12:Righttomarry
Menandwomenhavetherighttomarryandstartafamily. Nationallawwillstillgovernhowandatwhatagethiscan takeplace. (Article13 isnotincludedintheHumanRightsAct.)

Article14:Prohibitionofdiscrimination
IntheapplicationoftheConventionrights,apersonhasthe rightnottobetreateddifferentlybecauseoftheirrace, 8 continuedonpage9

Human rights flowchart

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

Will the policy/decision engage anyones Convention rights?

YES NO

Will the policy/decision result in the restriction of a right?

YES YES

Is the right an absolute right?

2.2 NO
Does the restriction have a legitimate aim? AND Is there a legal basis for the restriction? AND

NO The right is a is qualified right 3.0 The right a qualified right

Is the right a limited right?

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

Policy/decision is likely to be human rights compliant

Get legal advice

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

religion,sex,politicalviewsoranyotherpersonalstatus, unlessthiscanbejustifiedobjectively.Everyonemusthave equalaccesstoConventionrights,whatevertheirstatus.

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.

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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.

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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.

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Makingsenseofhumanrights:ashortintroduction

Whatisadeclarationofincompatibility?
A declarationofincompatibilitysendsasignalfromthe courtstoParliamentthattheUKmaybebreachingits internationalobligationsundertheECHR.Parliamentdoes nothavetochangethelaw:itretainsitssovereigntyasthe UKs lawmakingbody.

WhatdifferencedoestheHumanRights Actmake?
TheprincipaleffectoftheHumanRightsActistoenable peopletoenforcetheirhumanrightsinthedomesticcourts. Itshouldmeanthatpeopleacrosssocietyaretreatedwith respectfortheirhumanrights,promotingvaluessuchas dignity, fairness,equalityandrespect.

Are humanrightsrelevanttoevery decisionImake?

Theshortanswertothisisno.Manyeverydaydecisions takenintheworkplacehavenohumanrightsimplications. However,byunderstandinghumanrightsproperlyyouare more likelytoknowwhenhumanrightsare relevantand whentheyare not.Thisshouldhelpyoutomakedecisions more confidently,andensurethatyourdecisionsaresound and fair.

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Makingsenseofhumanrights:ashortintroduction

Whatisapublicauthority?
TheHumanRightsActsaysthatpeoplecarryingoutcertain functionsofapublicnaturewillfallwithinthepublicauthority definition.Thecourtsarestilldecidingexactlywhatthis means.Thefollowingaredefinitelypublicauthorities:

centralgovernment localgovernment localauthorities police,prisonandimmigrationservices NHSTrusts courtsandtribunals planninginspectorate executiveagencies statutoryregulatorybodies.

Thislistisnotexhaustive.Ifyouare unsurewhetherornot youworkinapublicauthorityyoushouldcheckwithyour linemanager. However, ifyouare readingthisdocument, itislikelythatyoudoworkforapublicauthority. Inany event,followinghumanrightsstandardswillbegood practice,eveninmattersnotstrictlycoveredbytheambit oftheHumanRightsAct.

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Makingsenseofhumanrights:ashortintroduction

Doallnewlawshavetobecompatible withtheHumanRightsAct?
WhenaministerintroducesaBilltoParliamenttheyare requiredtoconfirminwritingthat,intheirview,theBillis compatiblewithConventionrights,orthattheyareunableto saythatitiscompatiblebutthattheywishtoproceedwith theBillanyway.Thereforeitispossiblefornewlegislationto beincompatible.

Are allConventionrightsguaranteed, whateverthecircumstances?

NotallConventionrightsare formulatedinthesameway. Whilesomerightsareprotectedabsolutely,suchastheright tobefreefromtorture,othersarelimitedincertaindefined situations,orqualifiedsoastotakeaccountoftherightsof othersortheinterestsofwidersociety. Thisisexplainedin greaterdetailonpages3to4ofthisguide.

WhocanbringacaseundertheHuman RightsAct?
Anyvictimcan.ItisnotnecessarytobeaUKcitizen. Anyonestartingproceedingsmusthavebeendirectly affectedbyanactoromissionofapublicauthority.

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Isanyotherguidanceonthe HumanRightsActavailable?

For furtherinformationabouthumanrightsandtheAct, we recommend:

Humanrights:humanlives a handbookforofficials

workinginpublicauthorities,producedbytheMinistry of Justice andavailablefordownloadon ourwebsiteatwww.justice.gov.uk/about/docs/ hr-handbook-public-authorities.pdf

A GuidetotheHumanRightsAct1998:ThirdEdition

producedbytheMinistry of Justiceand availablefordownloadonourwebsiteat www.justice.gov.uk/about/docs/act-studyguide.pdf

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

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DCA45/06 ProducedbytheMinistry of Justice CrowncopyrightOctober2006 Printedonpapercomprisingaminimumof75%postconsumerwaste Alternativeformatversionsareavailableonrequestfromtel.0203334 3734