Human rights - facts and fiction
If you believed everything you read in the papers about human rights you'd probably think that they were just for celebrities or criminals and had nothing to do with the lives of ordinary people. In fact the idea behind the Human Rights Act is that everybody should be treated with dignity, equality, respect and fairness. But that doesn't make good newspaper copy!
On this page we have a look at some of the myths and misunderstandings about human rights that have made it into the news.
FICTION
'Nine Afghan hijackers can stay in Britain after a "human rights" ruling by a High Court judge.'
The Sun, May 2006
FACT
In June 2004 an immigration panel ruled that the Afghans faced a risk of torture and could not be sent back. This is part of the immigration law and would exist even if the Human Rights Act were abolished.
FICTION
'More criminals freed to protect human rights. Fury as more sex offenders are freed early under law on Human Rights.'
Daily Mail, May 2006
FACT
Whilst the headline may say human rights, this is not really a human rights issue but is in fact about decisions made by the parole board.
'If you want to build a new home you have to have planning permission first. But if you are a Traveller you can bend the planning law - building where you like thanks to the Human Rights Act.'
Michael Howard, 2005
FACT
Article 8 - Everyone has a 'right to respect of his private and family life, his home and his correspondence'. The Human Rights Act did not provide new rights for Travellers. Before the Human Rights Act legal precedents and the 1976 Race Relations Act recognised Travellers' need for homes, education and health. These rights do not entitle them to set up camp anywhere and they are punished if they don't obey an order the vacate the land.
HRA: Exploding the Myths, Liberty, 2006
FICTION
'Serial killer, Dennis Nilsen, 60, received hardcore gay porn in jail thanks to human rights laws.'
The Sun, May 2006
FACT
Nilsen was denied access to the gay art book he requested by the prison governor. The legal case he brought could not establish that there was any breach of his human rights and decision of the prison governor stood.
DCA Human Rights Review, 2006
FICTION
'Finger-nicking' good. Police gave the suspected car thief a meal because of Human Rights.'
The Sun, June 2006
FACT
The Human Rights Act does not give any prisoner making a roof top protest the right to the meal of his choice. The police responded to his refreshment demands as part of their negotiating strategy.
FICTION
'Lawyers won Anthony Rice's freedom on human rights grounds - then got release terms relaxed with the same tactic.'
The Sun, May 2006
FACT
Anthony Rice was released as a result of a series of errors by the agencies involved. Article 2 puts an obligation on the Government to protect life. The Human Rigths Act does not require the release of a potentially dangerous prisioner.
For more information on human rights see the links to other websites on the right hand side.
So, we know that the papers don't always get it right, but how do human rights help ordinary people in their everyday lives? Read Fred and Mabel's story.
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