"Civil rights" are the rights of individuals to receive equal treatment (and to be free from unfair treatment or "discrimination") in a number of settings - including education, employment, housing, and more - and based on certain legally-protected characteristics.
Historically, the "Civil Rights Movement" referred to efforts toward achieving true equality for African-Americans in all facets of society, but today the term "civil rights" is also used to describe the advancement of equality for all people regardless of race, sex, age, disability, national origin, religion, or certain other characteristics.
Where Do Civil Rights Come From?
Most laws guaranteeing and regulating civil rights originate at a national level, either through parliamentary legislation, or through constitutional court decisions.
In 1998 a debate on human and civil rights and the European Union led to the creation of The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. This charter consolidated civil, political, personal, social and economic rights into one visible text.
The Charter was created to make the various rights that pertain to EU residents more visible. The charter sets out the rights in six individual chapters. These six chapters are divided into freedom, dignity, solidarity, equality, citizenship and justice. The charter sets out a huge variety of rights from the banning of cloning to the right to strike. Rights such as protecting personal data and bio-ethics mean that traditional human rights previously set out have been updated to include rights relating to the present day.
The six chapters in the charter hold 54 articles containing the recognition of rights. Key points in the charter include:
1. Equality between men and women in various areas including employment
2. The right to education and training for all
3. The right to life meaning that execution and the death penalty are prohibited
4. The right to healthcare and medical treatment
5. The right to strike under certain conditions
"Civil Rights" vs. "Civil Liberties"
"Civil rights" are different from "civil liberties." Traditionally, the concept of "civil rights" has revolved around the basic right to be free from unequal treatment based on certain protected characteristics (race, gender, disability, etc.), while "civil liberties" are more broad-based rights and freedoms that are guaranteed at a national level by the Constitution and other laws.
It is important to note the difference between "civil rights" and "civil liberties." The legal area known as "civil rights" has traditionally revolved around the basic right to be free from unequal treatment based on certain protected characteristics (race, gender, disability, etc.) in settings such as employment and housing. "Civil liberties" concern basic rights and freedoms that are guaranteed -- either explicitly identified in the Bill of Rights and the Constitution, or interpreted through the years by courts and lawmakers.
Civil liberties include:
1. Freedom of speech
2. The right to privacy
3. The right to be free from unreasonable searches of your home
4. The right to a fair court trial
5. The right to marry
6. The right to vote
As much as some would like it to be called, divorce is not a civil right.
Historically, the "Civil Rights Movement" referred to efforts toward achieving true equality for African-Americans in all facets of society, but today the term "civil rights" is also used to describe the advancement of equality for all people regardless of race, sex, age, disability, national origin, religion, or certain other characteristics.
Where Do Civil Rights Come From?
Most laws guaranteeing and regulating civil rights originate at a national level, either through parliamentary legislation, or through constitutional court decisions.
In 1998 a debate on human and civil rights and the European Union led to the creation of The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. This charter consolidated civil, political, personal, social and economic rights into one visible text.
The Charter was created to make the various rights that pertain to EU residents more visible. The charter sets out the rights in six individual chapters. These six chapters are divided into freedom, dignity, solidarity, equality, citizenship and justice. The charter sets out a huge variety of rights from the banning of cloning to the right to strike. Rights such as protecting personal data and bio-ethics mean that traditional human rights previously set out have been updated to include rights relating to the present day.
The six chapters in the charter hold 54 articles containing the recognition of rights. Key points in the charter include:
1. Equality between men and women in various areas including employment
2. The right to education and training for all
3. The right to life meaning that execution and the death penalty are prohibited
4. The right to healthcare and medical treatment
5. The right to strike under certain conditions
"Civil Rights" vs. "Civil Liberties"
"Civil rights" are different from "civil liberties." Traditionally, the concept of "civil rights" has revolved around the basic right to be free from unequal treatment based on certain protected characteristics (race, gender, disability, etc.), while "civil liberties" are more broad-based rights and freedoms that are guaranteed at a national level by the Constitution and other laws.
It is important to note the difference between "civil rights" and "civil liberties." The legal area known as "civil rights" has traditionally revolved around the basic right to be free from unequal treatment based on certain protected characteristics (race, gender, disability, etc.) in settings such as employment and housing. "Civil liberties" concern basic rights and freedoms that are guaranteed -- either explicitly identified in the Bill of Rights and the Constitution, or interpreted through the years by courts and lawmakers.
Civil liberties include:
1. Freedom of speech
2. The right to privacy
3. The right to be free from unreasonable searches of your home
4. The right to a fair court trial
5. The right to marry
6. The right to vote
As much as some would like it to be called, divorce is not a civil right.
No comments:
Post a Comment