Civil rights - In Scotland

Human rights

This information applies to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person in the world.

Examples of your human rights include:

• the right to life
• protection from torture
• protection from slavery and forced labour
• right to respect for private and family life
• protection from discrimination.

The European Convention on Human Rights protects the human rights of people in countries that belong to the Council of Europe. This includes the UK.

If you think your human rights under the European Convention have been flouted, you may be able to take a case to court in the UK. You will need expert advice.

You can get more information about human rights from the Equality and Human Rights Commission at: www.equalityhumanrights.com.