Chapter 7.1: Human rights and civil liberties
Colm O’Cinneide
Chapter from the book: Dunleavy, P et al. 2018. The UK's Changing Democracy: The 2018 Democratic Audit.
Part of
Chapter from the book: Dunleavy, P et al. 2018. The UK's Changing Democracy: The 2018 Democratic Audit.
A foundational principle of liberal democracy is that all citizens are equal, and so the protection of fundamental human rights is of critical importance for democratic effectiveness. In many countries a statement of citizens’ rights forms part of the constitution, and is especially enshrined in law and enforced by the courts. This has not happened in the UK, which has no codified constitution. Instead Colm O’Cinneide evaluates the more diffuse and eclectic ways in which the UK’s political system protects fundamental human rights through the Human Rights Act and other legislation, and the courts and Parliament.
O’Cinneide, C. 2018. Chapter 7.1: Human rights and civil liberties. In: Dunleavy, P et al (eds.), The UK's Changing Democracy. London: LSE Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31389/book1.ac
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Published on Nov. 1, 2018