BTEC Level 3 Uniformed Public Services.
Unit 3: Citizenship, Diversity and the Public Services.
Assignment 2: Human Rights in the UK.
Article 2: The Right to Life.
This right ensures that no one, including the government can try to take an individual’s life. The
right also means that the Government should be taking appropriate steps to protect your life by
making laws to safeguard an individual and, in some cases, by taking measures to protect you if
your life is at risk.
Public services and authorities should take your right to life into account when making decisions
that may put you in danger or shorten your life expectancy.
Article 2 is also known as an ‘Absolute Right’ which means it cannot be interfered with by the
state. The only time a public authority can take your life is:
If it’s an act of self - defence.
To lawfully arrest someone or stop them from escaping lawful detention.
To prevent a riot or insurrection.
In these cases, the force used by the service must have been necessary and proportionate to
the threat.
Article 7: No punishment without law.
This right means that you cannot be charged with a criminal offence for an action that was a
crime when you committed it. It also ensures that the courts do not give an individual a heavier
punishment that the one available at the time of the crime.
This right is absolute, meaning that it cannot be restricted in any way.
All public authorities must explain what counts as a criminal offence so that individuals know
when they are committing a crime.
Article 6: Right to fair trial.
If you are charged with a criminal offence which results in a court appearance or if a public
organisation is making a decision that has an impact on an individual’s civil rights.
This law states that everyone is innocent until proven guilty.
Under the Human Rights Act, everybody must have equal access to the courts. This includes the
right to bring a civil case to court, although this can be restricted in certain situations.
Article 3: Right to free elections.
All public elections must be carried out at appropriate times and intervals and they must be
conducted via a secret ballot.
Public authorities must ensure that they respect individuals and their opinions.
Unit 3: Citizenship, Diversity and the Public Services.
Assignment 2: Human Rights in the UK.
Article 2: The Right to Life.
This right ensures that no one, including the government can try to take an individual’s life. The
right also means that the Government should be taking appropriate steps to protect your life by
making laws to safeguard an individual and, in some cases, by taking measures to protect you if
your life is at risk.
Public services and authorities should take your right to life into account when making decisions
that may put you in danger or shorten your life expectancy.
Article 2 is also known as an ‘Absolute Right’ which means it cannot be interfered with by the
state. The only time a public authority can take your life is:
If it’s an act of self - defence.
To lawfully arrest someone or stop them from escaping lawful detention.
To prevent a riot or insurrection.
In these cases, the force used by the service must have been necessary and proportionate to
the threat.
Article 7: No punishment without law.
This right means that you cannot be charged with a criminal offence for an action that was a
crime when you committed it. It also ensures that the courts do not give an individual a heavier
punishment that the one available at the time of the crime.
This right is absolute, meaning that it cannot be restricted in any way.
All public authorities must explain what counts as a criminal offence so that individuals know
when they are committing a crime.
Article 6: Right to fair trial.
If you are charged with a criminal offence which results in a court appearance or if a public
organisation is making a decision that has an impact on an individual’s civil rights.
This law states that everyone is innocent until proven guilty.
Under the Human Rights Act, everybody must have equal access to the courts. This includes the
right to bring a civil case to court, although this can be restricted in certain situations.
Article 3: Right to free elections.
All public elections must be carried out at appropriate times and intervals and they must be
conducted via a secret ballot.
Public authorities must ensure that they respect individuals and their opinions.
