The European Convention on Human Rights was signed by the members of the Council of Europe in 1950. It became part of British law in 1998.
Nobody knows exactly what effect it will have. But few people doubt that British society will never be the same again as individuals learn how to challenge the state in their own courts.
The Human Rights Act 1998 makes it unlawful for public bodies to violate the rights contained in the European Convention on Human Rights. These include:
- Police
- Government departments
- Local councils
Three subsequent institutions were entrusted with safeguarding the convention’s workings:
The European Commission of Human Rights (1954)
- The European Court of Human Rights (1959)
- The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe
The creation of these bodies (the court being based in Strasbourg) allowed individuals with a grievance can take proceedings in court under the Human Rights Act. For example, they might be able to obtain an injunction to stop a violation, force a public authority to take action or obtain damages and compensation.
Your rights
The act sets out the legal framework of your rights in 17 Articles (2 to 12 and 14 to 18) which have all been incorporated into UK law by the Human Rights Act. These are:
- Article 1: The protection of property
- Article 2: The right to life
- Article 3: Prohibition of torture
- Article 4: Prohibition of slavery and forced labour
- Article 5: Right to liberty and security
- Article 6: Right to a fair trial
- Article 7: No punishment without law
- Article 8: Right to respect for private and family life
- Article 9: Freedom of thought, conscience and religion
- Article 10: Freedom of expression
- Article 11: Freedom of assembly and association
- Article 12: Right to marry
- Article 14: Prohibition of discrimination
- Article 16: Restrictions on political activity of aliens
- Article 17: Prohibition of abuse of rights
- Article 18: Limitation on use of restrictions on rights
You can read the full text of the articles of the Human Rights Act.
The BBC also has a guide to the Human Rights Act.
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