Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Rights, Duties and Freedoms Essay -- Human Rights Act 1998
Rights, Duties and Freedoms Under the Human Rights Act 1998, which came into force in October 2000, there are certain rights and freedoms that are protected. The significance of this act is to offer legal rights to everyone in a democratic country. The United Kingdom does not have a written constitution, this is very unusual in a democracy, and our rights and freedoms have traditionally been protected by a presumption that we are free to do anything that is not covered by a specific forbidding law or piece of legislation. Under the Human Rights Act we now have that written confirmation of our rights, duties and freedoms. Anyone withholding those rights, for example wrongful imprisonment or racism is now liable for prosecution and possible imprisonment. A citizen acquires certain rights at certain ages. Sue for personal injury                                        From birth Watch a film with `U? classification                                        5 Watch a `PG? film with parents or guardian                              5 Drink alcohol at home, if an adult provides it.                              8 Fully criminally responsible                                             10 Be given a supervision order as a criminal sanction                         10 Legally capable of rape                                             10 Be sent to a Secure training centre as a criminal sanction                         12 Consent to sex, but if an adult obliges they are guilty of a criminal offence          13 Drink alcohol in a licensed premises if it is with a meal                         16 Marry with judicial/ parental consent                                   16 Consent to heterosexual sex                                        16 Purchase cigarettes                                                  16 Drive a car                                                       17 Marry without consent                                             18 Have homosexual relations                                             18 Sent to prison                                                  18 Make a will                                                       18 Eligible to vote                                                  18 Full legal rights in contract                                             18 Buy alcohol                                        ... ...bout of sadomasochism to one consenting couple, could be classed as actual bodily harm and assault, even torture and degradation to a judge and jury, therefore infringing human rights, as in the case of Simon Slingsby 1995 who accidentally injured his wife during sexual intercourse, causing her internal injuries, which later became septic and death followed. The murder charge he faced was later dropped to manslaughter where he was found guilty of committing a dangerous or unlawful act. Britain has been governed by parliament for many centuries, each new parliament bringing with it new legislation in keeping with the demands of developing industry, and public and private citizens. These laws have kept Britain adequately ruled over the years, but there have been many breaches of citizen?s human rights. Since the Human Rights Act 1998 came into force, these rights have been upheld and maintained, with those who breach these rights paying the price through the courts. Acts of discrimination, for example racism and disability, have been largely ended, making society able to live in harmony with its neighbours. Bibliography English Legal System Elliot and Quinn 5th Edition.
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