Human Rights
Introduction to Human Rights law in the UK
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The Human Rights Act reflects the rights guaranteed under the European Convention of Human Rights to which the UK was one of the first signatories in 1953. The Convention is essentially a statement of values to which signatories agreed to respect. It is divided into chapters which are referred to as ‘Articles’. Since the Convention was signed, several ‘Protocols’ have been created dealing with procedures and guaranteeing certain rights. The UK has signed two of these Protocols.
The European Court of Human Rights was set up as the international court to apply the Convention rules to each signatory. Accordingly, individuals can seek redress at the European Courts if their own country is not able to resolve the issue in their own court.
Even though the Convention is more than 50 years old, it is still very much alive. The Human Rights Act 1998 encapsulates the principles of the Convention and ensures that the courts in this country take into account case law which is developing at the European Court of Human Rights.
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