This comes into force on the 2nd of October 2000, and will produce perhaps the biggest change to the English Legal System. Even, as is the case, many of our existing laws, practises and procedures are already compatible with the European convention on human rights. However, the significance of the act cannot be overstated. The human rights act incorporates the convention into the law of the United Kingdom and provides for those rights to be directly enforceable in our national courts for the first time.
ARTICLE 2~ 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 Private and Family Life
ARTICLE 9 ~ Freedom of Thought, Consciience 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
After World War II, the European convention for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms(the convention) was drafted, mainly by British lawyers. This was done to ensure that there was no repetition of the horrors which occurred during the war. It also guaranteed the citizens of Europe basic human rights and freedoms. It was approved by the UK in the 1950s and is now being incorporated into our law.