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Human Rights Explained In A Beautiful Two Minute Animation

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Our Human Rights Act explained in 2 minutes

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A fun and speedy guide to how the UK general election works, voiced by Rick Edwards.

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If we are to argue over definitions, I would concede that the BNP might more accurately be termed "neo-fascist", in the sense that it draws its inspiration from fascist movements of the past while adapting its ideology and forms of organisation to the political situation in Britain today.

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It's election day ... again. Just two years after the last general election and a year after Brexit, British voters are being bombarded with ballots. So can Theresa May increase her parliamentary majority? Or will Jeremy Corbyn mobilise an army of anti-austerity voters to carry him into Downing Street? With turnout crucial to the result, who will prevail?

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The UK general election explained for non-Brits - video

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It's election day ... again. Just two years after the last general election and a year after Brexit, British voters are being bombarded with ballots. So can Theresa May increase her parliamentary majority? Or will Jeremy Corbyn mobilise an army of anti-austerity voters to carry him into Downing Street?

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Elections and voting explained (primary)

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Discover the different types of elections held in the UK and take a closer look at the General Election, exploring: our right to vote, how candidates and parties gain votes and what happens once elected. If you are a teacher, this animation is a quick and easy way to explain how elections work for primary students.

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👶 Grown Up Politics - Green Party Election Broadcast (2016)

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General Elections (elections to the UK Parliament) usually take place every 5 years.

To vote in a General Election you must:

be registered to vote

be 18 or over on the day of the election ('polling day')

be a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen

be resident at an address in the UK (or a British citizen living abroad who has been registered to vote in the UK in the last 15 years)

not be legally excluded from voting

There are 650 Members of Parliament ( MPs) in the UK Parliament.

MPs are elected using the First Past the Post system. You vote once for a candidate in your constituency and the candidate with the most votes becomes your MP.

You can find your local MP.

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Types of election, referendums, and who can vote

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General Elections (elections to the UK Parliament) usually take place every 5 years.

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We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We'd like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

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We use some essential cookies to make this website work. We'd like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

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Everyone has the right to respect for his of her private and family life, home and correspondence. This right is subject to proportionate and lawful restrictions.

Article 8 is a broad-ranging right that is often closely connected with other rights such as freedom of religion, freedom of expression, freedom of association and the right to respect for property.

The obligation on the State under Article 8 is to refrain from interfering with the right itself and also to take some positive measures, for example, to criminalise extreme breaches of the right to a private life by private individuals.
Private life
The concept of a right to a private life encompasses the importance of personal dignity and autonomy and the interaction a person has with others, both in private or in public.

Respect for one's private life includes:

respect for individual sexuality (so, for example, investigations into the sexuality of members of the armed forces engages the right to respect for a private life);

the right to personal autonomy and physical and psychological integrity, i.e. the right not to be physically interfered with;

respect for private and confidential information, particularly the storing and sharing of such information;

the right not to be subject to unlawful state surveillance;

respect for privacy when one has a reasonable expectation of privacy; and

the right to control the dissemination of information about one's private life, including photographs taken covertly.

Family Life
Article 8 also provides the right to respect for one's established family life. This includes close family ties, although there is no pre-determined model of a family or family life. It includes any stable relationship, be it married, engaged, or de facto; between parents and children; siblings; grandparents and grandchildren etc. This right is often engaged, for example, when measures are taken by the State to separate family members (by removing children into care, or deporting one member of a family group).
Respect for the home
Right to respect for the home includes a right not to have one's home life interfered with, including by unlawful surveillance, unlawful entry, arbitrary evictions etc.
Respect for correspondence
Everyone has the right to uninterrupted and uncensored communication with others - a right particularly of relevance in relation to phone-tapping; email surveillance; and the reading of letters.
Limitations
Article 8 is a qualified right and as such the right to a private and family life and respect for the home and correspondence may be limited. So while the right to privacy is engaged in a wide number of situations, the right may be lawfully limited. Any limitation must have regard to the fair balance that has to be struck between the competing interests of the individual and of the community as a whole.

In particular any limitation must be:

in accordance with law;

necessary and proportionate; and

for one or more of the following legitimate aims:

the interests of national security;

the interests of public safety or the economic well-being of the country;

the prevention of disorder or crime;

the protection of health or morals; or

the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.

Balancing rights
The right to respect for a private life often needs to be balanced against the right to freedom of expression. For example a public figure does not necessarily enjoy the same respect for their private life as others, as matters of public concern might justify the publication of information about that person that might otherwise interfere with the right to privacy.

Case study - Jenny Paton
In 2008, Poole Council received an anonymous tip-off that Jenny Paton's family were lying about living in a certain school catchment area. In reality they'd lived at the property in question for more than 10 years. Nevertheless, the local authority saw fit to subject them to covert, James Bond-style surveillance.

For three weeks officials sat outside their home, making notes and taking photographs - and even tailed Jenny, and partner Tim, while they drove her children to school. The family had no idea - until the surveillance was revealed at a meeting with the Council's Children and Young People's Department.

The Investigatory Powers Tribunal found that Poole Council had breached Article 8. "I felt justified in my outrage," Jenny said. "I felt that the action I'd taken had been worth it - not for me personally, as such, but it did lead to changes in legislation that I felt made the whole battle worthwhile."
Watch: David Harewood tells Jenny's story
Find out more about this case.

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Article 8 Right to a private and family life

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Everyone has the right to respect for his of her private and family life, home and correspondence. This right is subject to proportionate and lawful restrictions. Article 8 is a broad-ranging right that is often closely connected with other rights such as freedom of religion, freedom of expression, freedom of association and the right to respect for property.

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BBC Schools is a service for children, parents and teachers at home and at school - fun and easy to use curriculum based learning resources.

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The Consumer Rights Act 2015

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 became law on 1 October 2015, replacing three major pieces of consumer legislation - the Sale of Goods Act, Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations, and the Supply of Goods and Services Act. It was introduced to simplify, strengthen and modernise the law, giving you clearer shopping rights.

Product quality - what should you expect?

As with the Sale of Goods Act, under the Consumer Rights Act all products must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described.

The rules also include digital content in this definition. So all products - whether physical or digital - must meet the following standards:

Satisfactory quality Goods shouldn't be faulty or damaged when you receive them. You should ask what a reasonable person would consider satisfactory for the goods in question. For example, bargain-bucket products won't be held to as high standards as luxury goods.

Fit for purpose The goods should be fit for the purpose they are supplied for, as well as any specific purpose you made known to the retailer before you agreed to buy the goods.

As described The goods supplied must match any description given to you, or any models or samples shown to you at the time of purchase.

Are you returning a faulty product?

Start my letter

Who should you claim against?

If what you've bought doesn't satisfy any one of the three criteria outlined above, you have a claim under the Consumer Rights Act.

If you've bought a faulty product, you can read our guide, which shows you what you should do and how to make a claim.

If you want to make a claim under the Consumer Rights Act, you have several possible ways of resolving your issue, depending on the circumstances and on how you want the retailer to remedy the situation.

Your rights under the Consumer Rights Act are against the retailer - the company that sold you the product - not the manufacturer, so you must take any claim to the retailer.

What you can claim depends on how much time has passed since you physically took ownership of the goods.

Read on to find out what your rights are in the first 30 days and beyond.

How long do you have to return a faulty product?

Under the Consumer Rights Act you have a legal right to reject goods that are of unsatisfactory quality, unfit for purpose or not as described, and get a full refund - as long as you do this quickly.

This right is limited to 30 days from the date you take ownership of your product. After 30 days, you will not be legally entitled to a full refund if your item develops a fault, although some sellers may offer you an extended refund period.

This right to a refund doesn't apply to products you've bought as downloads, though - such as music, games or apps.

You can, however, ask for a digital product to be repaired or replaced if it develops a fault. And if this isn't possible, or is unsuccessful, you have the right to receive a price reduction.

Repair or replace

If you are outside the 30-day right to reject, you have to give the retailer one opportunity to repair or replace any goods or digital content which are of unsatisfactory quality, unfit for purpose or not as described.

You can state your preference, but the retailer can normally choose whichever would be cheapest or easier for it to do.

If the attempt at a repair or replacement is unsuccessful, you can then claim a refund or a price reduction if you wish to keep the product.

You're entitled to a full or partial refund instead of a repair or replacement if any of the following are true:

the cost of the repair or replacement is disproportionate to the value of the goods or digital content

a repair or replacement is impossible

a repair or replacement would cause you significant inconvenience

the repair would take an unreasonably long amount of time.

If a repair or replacement is not possible, or the attempt at repair fails, or the first replacement also turns out to be defective, you have a further right to receive a refund of up to 100% of the price you paid, or to reject the goods for a full refund.

If you don't want a refund and still want your product repaired or replaced, you have the right to request that the retailer makes further attempts at a repair or replacement.

Use our step-by-step guide if you want to ask a retailer to repair or replace something you've bought that subsequently develops a fault.

The first six months

If you discover the fault within the first six months of having the product, it is presumed to have been there since the time you took ownership of it - unless the retailer can prove otherwise.

During this time, it's up to the retailer to prove that the fault wasn't there when you bought it - it's not up to you to prove that it was.

If an attempt at repair or replacement has failed, you have the right to reject the goods for a full refund, or price reduction if you wish to keep the product.

The retailer can't make any deductions from your refund in the first six months following an unsuccessful attempt at repair or replacement.

The only exception to this rule is motor vehicles, where the retailer may make a reasonable reduction for the use you've already had of the vehicle after the first 30 days.

If you'd prefer to keep the goods in question, you can request an appropriate price reduction.

Six months or more

If a fault develops after the first six months, the burden is on you to prove that the product was faulty at the time you took ownership of it.

In practice, this may require some form of expert report, opinion or evidence of similar problems across the product range.

Find out more about how to return a faulty item and claim a refund, repair or replacement from a retailer.

You have six years to take a claim to the small claims court for faulty goods in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and five years in Scotland.

This doesn't mean that a product has to last six years - just that you have this length of time in which to make a claim if a retailer refuses to repair or replace a faulty product.

Digital content

The Consumer Rights Act defines digital content as 'data which are produced and supplied in digital form.' Or in other words things like downloaded films, music, games and apps.

Just like goods, digital content must be:

of satisfactory quality

fit for a particular purpose

as described by the seller.

If digital content does not conform to these criteria, you have the right to a repair or replacement of the digital content you've bought.

But if a repair or replacement isn't possible, or doesn't fix the situation, you can ask for a price reduction. This can be up to 100% of the cost of the digital content.

The retailer will have to compensate you if any device or other digital content you own is damaged as a result of the faulty digital content you've downloaded.

This applies where that damage would not have occurred had 'reasonable care and skill' been exercised in the provision of the digital content - even if that content was provided free of charge.

Delivery rights

The retailer is responsible for goods until they are in your physical possession, in the possession of someone appointed by you to accept them or delivered to your nominated safe place.

This is because your contract is with the retailer, who you bought the goods from.

So, if your goods are still undelivered and you would like to make a complaint, you should complain to the retailer - even if you think it's down to a poor service from the courier.

If you're in the unfortunate position to have had your parcel stolen, your rights will depend on whether you gave the retailer or courier permission to leave your parcel there.

Examples of giving permission include:

You selecting an option on the retailer's website that confirms you're happy for your goods to be left with your nominated neighbour if you're not in. Usually you'll then be asked to give some basic information about your nominated neighbour, so the retailer can notify the courier where to leave your goods. (eg. Mrs C Jones at number 48.)

You responding to a 'Sorry we missed you' email from the courier, confirming that you're happy for the courier to leave your goods in your 'safe place' when they attempt to redeliver the goods tomorrow. Usually you'll then give some basic information about your safe place so the courier knows where it's safe for them to leave your goods. (eg. behind the big blue flower pot round the back of the house.)

Read our delivery rights guides for more information on what to do when things go wrong, including what to do if your online order hasn't arrived.

Late deliveries

There is a default delivery period of 30 days, during which the retailer needs to deliver unless a longer period has been agreed.

If the retailer fails to deliver within the 30 days, or on the date that has been agreed, you can do the following:

Supply of a service

The term 'service' covers a wide variety of services including large and small-scale work you might have carried out in your home or elsewhere.

From a small repair job on a vehicle with no written details to the installation of solar panels, from a haircut to major building work, all these require you to enter into a contract.

Services can be provided alone or they may be provided with goods, for example, the fitting of a new kitchen.

If you have a contract for any of the services above, the Consumer Rights Act sets out minimum standards that apply to the service and also remedies if the trader falls short of these standards.

Minimum standards that apply include:

The trader must perform the service with reasonable care and skill.

Information that is spoken or written is binding where the consumer relies on it.

Where the price is not agreed beforehand, the service must be provided for a reasonable price.

Unless a particular timescale for performing the service is set out or agreed, the service must be carried out in a reasonable time.

If the service you're provided doesn't satisfy these criteria, you're entitled to the following remedies under the Consumer Rights Act:

The trader should either redo the element of the service that's inadequate, or perform the whole service again at no extra cost to you, within a reasonable time and without causing you significant inconvenience.

Or, in circumstances where the repeat performance is impossible, or can't be done within a reasonable time or without causing significant inconvenience, you can claim a price reduction. Depending on how severe the failings are, this could be up to 100% of the cost, and the trader should refund you within 14 days of agreeing that you're entitled to a refund.

Unfair contract terms

Your rights under the Consumer Rights Act make it easier to challenge hidden fees and charges.

Unless a contract term is both prominent and transparent, it can be assessed for fairness. Find out more in our guide to challenging unfair terms in contracts.

If you think a contract term is unfair, you should complain to the trader.

If the trader doesn't agree, we recommend you seek legal advice before breaking the terms of the contract.

As a last resort, you could take the trader to court and the court will decide whether a term is unfair.

If the court decides that a term is unfair, you may be able to ignore the term or even cancel your contract without having to pay a cancellation fee.

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Consumer Rights Act 2015 - Which? Consumer Rights

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The Consumer Rights Act 2015 became law on 1 October 2015, replacing three major pieces of consumer legislation - the Sale of Goods Act, Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations, and the Supply of Goods and Services Act. It was introduced to simplify, strengthen and modernise the law, giving you clearer shopping rights.

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Human Rights & Civil Liberties Distinguished

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Understand the difference between human rights and civil liberties and the historical context of the UK Human Rights Act 1998. Transcript: http://www.iriss.org.uk/humanrights/transcripts.html#anchor2 Full Learning Object: http://www.iriss.org.uk/humanrights

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I have a dream....

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Martin Luther King, Jr. I Have A Dream Speech

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Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens under the Constitution every person has the right to lodge a case in court if a right or fundamental freedom in the Bill of Rights is denied, violated or threatened.   Every person is entitled to the following rights and fundamental freedoms: Right to life;The right to equality, equal protection and equal benefit in law;Human dignity;Freedom and security;Protection from slavery, servitude & forced labour;Freedom of conscience, religion, belief and opinion;Freedom of expression;Freedom of the media;Right of access to information;Freedom of association;Right of assembly, demonstration, picketing and petition;Political rights;Freedom of movement and residence;Protection of right to property;Fair labour practices;Right to a clean and healthy environment;Right to economic and social rights (health, housing, food, water, social security & education)Right to use of language and culture of one’s preference;Consumer rights;Fair administrative action;Right of access to justice; andRight to a fair hearing.

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Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens under the Constitution every person has the right to lodge a case in court if a right or fundamental freedom in the Bill of Rights is denied, violated or threatened.   Every person is entitled to the following rights and fundamental freedoms: Right to life;The right to equality, equal protection and equal benefit in law;Human dignity;Freedom and security;Protection from slavery, servitude & forced labour;Freedom of conscience, religion, belief and opinion;Freedom of expression;Freedom of the media;Right of access to information;Freedom of association;Right of assembly, demonstration, picketing and petition;Political rights;Freedom of movement and residence;Protection of right to property;Fair labour practices;Right to a clean and healthy environment;Right to economic and social rights (health, housing, food, water, social security & education)Right to use of language and culture of one’s preference;Consumer rights;Fair administrative action;Right of access to justice; andRight to a fair hearing.

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Bunker Roy: Learning from a barefoot movement

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Current Dictators - List of Dictators In 2017 - Planet Rulers

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Current Dictators - List of World Dictators From 2015-2022

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Up-to-date list of current dictators of the world with their bios and photo profiles. Includes an interactive world map of current dictators.

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Human rights in China are a highly contested topic, especially for the fundamental human rights periodically reviewed by the United Nations Human Rights Committee, on which the government of the People's Republic of China and various foreign governments and human rights organizations have often disagreed.

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Human rights in China are a highly contested topic, especially for the fundamental human rights periodically reviewed by the United Nations Human Rights Committee, on which the government of the People's Republic of China and various foreign governments and human rights organizations have often disagreed.

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Thursday is United Nations Human Rights Day but not everywhere is it celebrated with equal enthusiasm.

China has the biggest population in the world and a constitutional commitment to freedoms of speech, press and assembly, but it is often the target for international criticism over human rights.

This year has seen a new concern - a crackdown on human rights lawyers which has raised questions not just about China's protection of human rights but even about the right to protect those rights.

BBC China editor Carrie Gracie reports from Beijing.
Illustrations by artist and cartoonist Badiucao

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Concern for China human rights lawyers - BBC News

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Thursday is United Nations Human Rights Day but not everywhere is it celebrated with equal enthusiasm. China has the biggest population in the world and a constitutional commitment to freedoms of speech, press and assembly, but it is often the target for international criticism over human rights.

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British citizens have an abundance of rights, from marriage and civil partnerships to the right to protest and the right to make a complaint against the government--and plenty more. With these rights come an abundance of responsibilities. British citizens are expected to contribute to society in certain ways to help the country thrive domestically and operate smoothly.

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The law protects your consumer rights when you buy goods or services. Find out who to contact for consumer protection advice. You can get help if you're treated unfairly or when things go wrong. ... faulty goods.

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The law protects your consumer rights when you buy goods or services. Find out who to contact for consumer protection advice. You can get help if you're treated unfairly or when things go wrong. ... faulty goods.