What rights do I have?
Our Human Rights Act contains 16 rights. These come from the European Convention on Human Rights but our Human Rights Act put them into UK law.
Although some rights (known as non-absolute rights) can sometimes be limited or restricted, your rights cannot be taken away from you.
Using the language of human rights law can help give you confidence to stand up for your rights and have a better experience when interacting with public services like schools, social services and the NHS.
The right to be free from torture and inhuman or degrading treatment
The right to be free from torture and inhuman or degrading treatment and torture is protected by Article 3 of the Human Rights Act.
The right to be free from torture and inhuman or degrading treatment
The right to be free from torture and inhuman or degrading treatment and torture is protected by Article 3 of the Human Rights Act.
The right to be free from slavery and forced labour
The right to be free from slavery and forced labour is protected by Article 4 of the Human Rights Act.
The right to be free from slavery and forced labour
The right to be free from slavery and forced labour is protected by Article 4 of the Human Rights Act.
The right not to be punished for something that wasn't against the law when you did it
The right not to be punished for something that wasn't against the law when you did it is protected by Article 7 of the Human Rights Act.
The right not to be punished for something that wasn't against the law when you did it
The right not to be punished for something that wasn't against the law when you did it is protected by Article 7 of the Human Rights Act.
The right to respect for private and family life, home and correspondence
The right to respect for private and family life, home and correspondence is protected by Article 8 of the Human Rights Act.
The right to respect for private and family life, home and correspondence
The right to respect for private and family life, home and correspondence is protected by Article 8 of the Human Rights Act.
The right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion
The right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion is protected by Article 9 of the Human Rights Act.
The right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion
The right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion is protected by Article 9 of the Human Rights Act.
The right to peaceful enjoyment of possessions
The right to peaceful enjoyment of possessions is protected by Article 1, Protocol 1 of the Human Rights Act.
The right to peaceful enjoyment of possessions
The right to peaceful enjoyment of possessions is protected by Article 1, Protocol 1 of the Human Rights Act.
Related information
Where do my rights apply?
Read about some of the areas where human rights are particularly relevant including in health, care and social work; migration and refugee rights; ending violence against women and girls; and LGBTQ+ rights.
Where do my rights apply?
Read about some of the areas where human rights are particularly relevant including in health, care and social work; migration and refugee rights; ending violence against women and girls; and LGBTQ+ rights.
What duties do public services have?
Read more about the legal duties on public services under the UK's Human Rights Act 1998 to respect, protect and fulfil wherever possible.
What duties do public services have?
Read more about the legal duties on public services under the UK's Human Rights Act 1998 to respect, protect and fulfil wherever possible.
Where do the duties on public services apply?
Find out about some of the areas we work in where human rights often come up - such as health, care and social work, housing, welfare, ending violence against women and LGBTQ+ rights.
Where do the duties on public services apply?
Find out about some of the areas we work in where human rights often come up - such as health, care and social work, housing, welfare, ending violence against women and LGBTQ+ rights.
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