European Convention on Human Rights


European Convention on Human Rights

more fully, the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, a charter designed to further the goals of the EUROPEAN COUNCIL. Its members accept that citizens should enjoy human rights. Civil and political freedoms are enumerated: the right to life; freedom from torture or inhuman treatment; freedom from slavery and forced labour; the right to liberty and freedom from detention save in accord with the law; the right to fair administration of justice; respect for privacy and the family; the right to peaceful assembly; the right not to be discriminated against. Over the years protocols have added new rights: the protection of property; a parent's right to choose education; a right to free elections; liberty from prison for inability to meet a contract; free movement; the right not to be expelled from one's natural home. Many of the rights are subject to provisos on the basis of public order, public security and the need to guard the freedom of others. The Convention is upheld in the EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS. The law applies in the UK as a result of the Scotland Act 1998 and the Human Rights Act 1998. The UK courts maybe approached directly for reparation for infringement of their human rights by a public authority as defined. Courts and other public bodies must take account of convention rights in their work. See HUMAN RIGHTS.