Understanding Fundamental Principles

Britain has a long history of respecting people’s rights and ensuring essential freedoms. These rights have grown and changed over many years, with important documents that laid the foundation for them.

Key Historical Documents

  1. Magna Carta (1215): This was one of the first documents to establish that everyone, including the king, must follow the law. It introduced the idea that people have certain rights.
  2. Habeas Corpus Act (1679): This law protects people from being held in prison without a good reason. It means that if someone is arrested, they must be brought to court to explain why.
  3. Bill of Rights (1689): This document established basic rights for individuals and limited the powers of the monarchy. It ensured that people could have a fair trial and speak freely.

European Convention on Human Rights

In 1950, the UK was one of the first countries to sign the European Convention on Human Rights. This document includes many important rights that everyone should have, such as:

  • Right to Life: Everyone has the right to live.
  • Prohibition of Torture: No one should be tortured or treated inhumanely.
  • Prohibition of Slavery and Forced Labour: No one should be made to work against their will.
  • Right to Liberty and Security: Everyone has the right to be free and safe.
  • Right to a Fair Trial: Everyone has the right to a fair hearing in court.
  • Freedom of Thought, Conscience, and Religion: People can believe what they want.
  • Freedom of Expression: People can express their opinions freely.

The Human Rights Act 1998

The Human Rights Act 1998 made sure that these rights from the European Convention are part of UK law. This means that the government, public bodies, and courts must respect and follow these rights.

Questions for Practice

Easy Level Questions

  1. What is the purpose of the Magna Carta?
    • A) To give more power to the king
    • B) To establish that everyone must follow the law
    • C) To create a new law
    • D) To end the monarchy
  2. What does habeas corpus protect against?
    • A) Being forced to work
    • B) Being held in prison without reason
    • C) Speaking freely
    • D) Having a fair trial
  3. Which document was signed in 1950 by the UK?
    • A) The Magna Carta
    • B) The Bill of Rights
    • C) The European Convention on Human Rights
    • D) The Habeas Corpus Act
  4. What is one right included in the European Convention on Human Rights?
    • A) Right to vote
    • B) Right to life
    • C) Right to own property
    • D) Right to education
  5. What does the Human Rights Act 1998 do?
    • A) It creates new laws.
    • B) It makes human rights part of UK law.
    • C) It ends the monarchy.
    • D) It protects business rights.
  6. Which of these is NOT a right in the European Convention on Human Rights?
    • A) Prohibition of torture
    • B) Right to a fair trial
    • C) Right to free education
    • D) Right to liberty and security
  7. Freedom of expression means:
    • A) You can say what you want.
    • B) You cannot be jailed.
    • C) You must follow the king’s orders.
    • D) You cannot criticise the government.
  8. Who must follow the principles of the European Convention on Human Rights in the UK?
    • A) Only the government
    • B) Public bodies and courts
    • C) Only private citizens
    • D) Only lawyers
  9. The Bill of Rights was signed in:
    • A) 1215
    • B) 1679
    • C) 1689
    • D) 1950
  10. What is the right against torture designed to protect?
    • A) Your ability to speak
    • B) Your freedom to travel
    • C) Your personal safety
    • D) Your property rights

Medium Level Questions

  1. What historical document first limited the powers of the king?
    • A) The Bill of Rights
    • B) The Magna Carta
    • C) The Human Rights Act
    • D) The Habeas Corpus Act
  2. The right to liberty means:
    • A) You can own property.
    • B) You can travel anywhere you want.
    • C) You cannot be imprisoned without cause.
    • D) You must pay taxes.
  3. What does the prohibition of slavery mean?
    • A) No one can work for free.
    • B) No one can be forced to work against their will.
    • C) Everyone must have a job.
    • D) All workers must be paid fairly.
  4. Why was the Human Rights Act of 1998 important?
    • A) It created new rights.
    • B) It incorporated the European Convention into UK law.
    • C) It ended all forms of discrimination.
    • D) It made voting compulsory.
  5. Which right ensures that everyone can practice their religion?
    • A) Right to life
    • B) Freedom of thought, conscience, and religion
    • C) Prohibition of torture
    • D) Right to a fair trial
  6. What role did British diplomats play in the European Convention on Human Rights?
    • A) They opposed the Convention.
    • B) They were not involved.
    • C) They helped draft the Convention.
    • D) They signed it after it was created.
  7. Which country was one of the first to sign the European Convention?
    • A) France
    • B) Germany
    • C) UK
    • D) Spain
  8. The right to a fair trial means:
    • A) You can choose your own judge.
    • B) You will be treated equally in court.
    • C) You can avoid jury duty.
    • D) You can appeal any decision.
  9. Which of the following is a key principle of the European Convention on Human Rights?
    • A) Right to education
    • B) Prohibition of discrimination
    • C) Right to life
    • D) Right to work
  10. The right to free expression allows you to:
    • A) Only express support for the government.
    • B) Speak your mind without fear of punishment.
    • C) Criticise only certain laws.
    • D) Write only positive articles.

Hard Level Questions

  1. What does the term “torture” refer to in human rights terms?
    • A) Any form of harsh treatment
    • B) Physical or psychological harm inflicted intentionally
    • C) Being imprisoned
    • D) Losing your job
  2. Which of the following documents had a significant influence on the development of human rights in the UK?
    • A) The Treaty of Versailles
    • B) The Magna Carta
    • C) The Constitution of the United States
    • D) The United Nations Charter
  3. What is the significance of the year 1950 in relation to human rights?
    • A) The year the UK left the EU
    • B) The year the Human Rights Act was passed
    • C) The year the European Convention on Human Rights was signed
    • D) The year the Bill of Rights was established
  4. The right to life is considered fundamental because:
    • A) It allows people to live in any country.
    • B) It is the basis for all other rights.
    • C) It only applies to citizens.
    • D) It can be taken away under certain circumstances.
  5. How does the Human Rights Act 1998 affect UK courts?
    • A) It prohibits judges from making decisions.
    • B) It requires judges to consider the European Convention.
    • C) It allows judges to ignore human rights.
    • D) It creates new courts.
  6. Which of the following would be a violation of the prohibition of forced labour?
    • A) A person working for a fair wage
    • B) A person forced to work without pay
    • C) A volunteer doing charity work
    • D) A person working a part-time job
  7. The right to liberty and security means:
    • A) You cannot be arrested without a reason.
    • B) You can travel freely.
    • C) You must have a job.
    • D) You can own property.
  8. How does the European Convention on Human Rights define “freedom of thought”?
    • A) Everyone must follow the same religion.
    • B) People can believe what they like without interference.
    • C) Only certain beliefs are accepted.
    • D) It applies only to political beliefs.
  9. The Human Rights Act requires public authorities to:
    • A) Ignore human rights in their decisions.
    • B) Follow and respect human rights laws.
    • C) Create new laws that restrict rights.
    • D) Only protect certain groups.
  10. The right to a fair trial ensures that:
    • A) All trials are public.
    • B) Trials are held in secret.
    • C) Everyone is guilty until proven innocent.
    • D) Everyone has access to legal representation.

Answers

Easy Level Answers

  1. B) To establish that everyone must follow the law
  2. B) Being held in prison without reason
  3. C) The European Convention on Human Rights
  4. B) Right to life
  5. B) It makes human rights part of UK law
  6. C) Right to free education
  7. A) You can say what you want
  8. B) Public bodies and courts
  9. C) 1689
  10. C) Your personal safety

Medium Level Answers

  1. B) The Magna Carta
  2. C) You cannot be imprisoned without cause
  3. B) No one can be forced to work against their will
  4. B) It incorporated the European Convention into UK law
  5. B) Freedom of thought, conscience, and religion
  6. C) They helped draft the Convention
  7. C) UK
  8. B) You will be treated equally in court
  9. C) Right to life
  10. B) Speak your mind without fear of punishment

Hard Level Answers

  1. B) Physical or psychological harm inflicted intentionally
  2. B) The Magna Carta
  3. C) The year the European Convention on Human Rights was signed
  4. B) It is the basis for all other rights
  5. B) It requires judges to consider the European Convention
  6. B) A person forced to work without pay
  7. A) You cannot be arrested without a reason
  8. B) People can believe what they like without interference
  9. B) Follow and respect human rights laws
  10. A) All trials are public