Life in the UK Test › Glossary › European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)

Rights & Citizenship

European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)

An international treaty setting out fundamental rights and freedoms, which British diplomats and lawyers helped draft.

Key facts

UK was one of the first countries to sign it, in 1950
Roots trace back to Magna Carta, the Habeas Corpus Act, and the Bill of Rights 1689
Includes: right to life, prohibition of torture, prohibition of slavery/forced labour, right to liberty and security, right to a fair trial, freedom of thought/conscience/religion, freedom of expression

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