What are human rights and how they are protected?

Anti-slavery

Article 4 provides as follows: (1) No one shall be held in slavery or servitude. (2) No one shall be required to perform forced or compulsory labour. (3) For the purposes of this Article “forced or compulsory labour” shall not include:(a) any work required to be done in the ordinary course of detention imposed according to

Right to life

Art.2 European Convention on Human Rights provides as follows: (1) Everyone’s right to life shall be protected by law. No one shall be deprived of his life intentionally save in the execution of a sentence of a court following his conviction of a crime for which this penalty is provided by law.(2) Deprivation of life

Anti-discrimination

Article 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights provides: The enjoyment of the rights and freedoms set forth in this European Convention on Human Rights shall be secured without discrimination on any ground such as sex, race, colour, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, association with a national minority, property,

Who We are

As a statutory non-departmental public body, we operate independently. We aim to be an expert and authoritative organisation that is a centre of excellence for evidence, analysis and equality and human rights law. We use our unique powers to challenge discrimination, promote equality of opportunity and protect human rights. We work with other organisations and individuals to achieve our aims, but are ready to take tough action against those who abuse the rights of others.

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How are your rights protected?

There are 16 basic rights protected by the Human Rights Act. As you would expect, they concern issues such as life, liberty and freedom from slavery and inhuman treatment. But they also cover rights that apply to everyday life, like what we can say and do, our beliefs and the right to marry and raise a family.

Recent Articles

In this section you can find out more about the Equality and Human Rights.

Fairness, Privacy, and Responsible Online Choices: How Rights Thinking Improves Digital Life and Entertainment

Human rights and equality principles are not limited to courts or political debates. They are also tools for navigating modern digital life. Every day, people accept terms, share personal data, join platforms, and engage with online entertainment. These actions can feel casual, but they often create real consequences: privacy risks, exclusion, harassment, or financial stress.

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Digital Spaces and Social Design: Rethinking Access in a Connected Age

In today’s digitally connected world, access is about more than just physical entry. Whether it’s healthcare, education, or even digital services, inclusion requires thoughtful design that considers a diverse population. A key challenge in modern systems is ensuring that access doesn’t just exist in principle but functions in practice for people of all abilities, backgrounds,

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