The Human Rights Act
How does the law protect our rights?
Human rights laws are used to protect people’s rights and to make sure that everyone has access to them. In the UK our rights are protected by the Human Rights Act 1998.
In the UK, the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA) protects our freedom, safety and dignity. It also holds the government and authorities to account when things go wrong.
This law sets out your human rights in a 16 ‘Articles’, each article explains a different right. These rights include the right to life, a fair trial and respect for family life all taken from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
How were modern day human rights created?
What does the Act mean for you?
Public bodies, like schools, the police and hospitals, must respect and protect your rights.
Under current law all new laws must not deny people their rights set out in the European Convention on Human Rights.
If your rights have been violated, you can seek justice in court.