rights

• what are the four civil liberties?

  • the right to a fair trial
  • freedom of speech
  • freedom of religion
  • freedom of association
• when was the HRA put into place?

  1998
• when was the freedom of information act?

  2000
• what did the freedom of information act do?

  it was introduced to create a more open system of government - allowed the public to access files from any government body.
• when was the equality act?

  2010
• what did the equality act do?

  made it illegal to discriminate in:

  • sex and sexual orientation
  • religion
  • gender reassignment
  • age
  • disability
  • marriage or civil partnership
  • pregnancy and maternity
  • belief
  • race
• how does judicial review protect rights?

  it is a review of ministers and officials decisions to ensure they are lawful. The actions can be ruled 'ultra vires' indicating they have gone beyond their power.
• how does common law protect rights?

  it protects through rules which are established through customs. Statute law takes precedence over common law.
• what is an example of conflict between individual rights and collective rights?

  right to privacy and freedom of the press
• what are the arguments that rights are well protected in the UK?

  • the HRA and other laws mean that rights are set out clearly and in detail
  • a right-based culture has been established
  • this allows the judiciary to be active in defending rights
  • pressure groups work to stop governments undermining rights
• what are the arguments that rights aren't protected in the UK?

  • citizens rights have been restricted as governments seek to protect from terrorism
  • the right to protest near parliament has been restricted
  • the government has also introduced 'control orders' to restrict freedom of movement
  • the media undermines rights protection
• when and what happened in the Abu Qatada case?

  2012. A ECHR judgment prevented deportation of radical islamist cleric to jordan where he was at risk of being tortured and tried. He was finally removed in 2013.
• when and what happened in the Belmarsh case?

  2004. ruled against the indefinite detention of terrorist suspects.
• when and what happened in the poundland case?

  2013. Cait Reilly won her case that it was unlawful for her to work free at poundland as a condition of her claiming jobseekers allowance.
• when and what happened in the segregation in schools ruling?

  2017. ruled unlawful discrimination in separating boys and girls in a co-educational faith school in birmingham.
• what are the arguments for lowering the voting age?

  • voting at 16 would match other aspects of citizenship available at this age
  • the needs, views, and concerns of 16 and 17 yr olds are marginalised
  • it may help re-engage young voters
• what are the arguments against lowering the voting age?

  • age 16 is too young - most in full-time education and living with parents
  • young voters are less likely to vote than other age groups
• what was the turnout of 18-24 yr olds in 2019 election?

  around 47%