Today in the UK, we can take for granted the rights and freedoms that we have. If we did not have them, our lives could be very different. The ECHR protects human rights and freedoms, and the Equality Act 2010 protects us from discrimination.

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The Equality Act 2010

The Equality Act 2010 protects us from discrimination. These are disability, race, gender, religion, age, and sexual orientation for all citizens. This law seeks to create a fairer society by guaranteeing equal treatment and mandating reasonable adjustments for individuals with disabilities.

It applies to many areas, including employment, education, housing, and services. It gives us the legal right to challenge unfair treatment in court or an employment tribunal.

The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)

The ECHR protects rights across Europe. It protects the right to life, the right to a fair trial, freedom of expression, freedom from torture or degrading treatment, respect, and the right to a private and family life.

These rights benefit everyone, as we all have the right not to be killed unlawfully. I think everyone wants a fair trial and to express themselves as they choose, including their opinions, ideas, and beliefs, without unfair treatment by the government or authorities. No one would desire torture or degrading treatment. Everyone should want respect and the right to a family life.

Having considered these laws, it is useful to explore how they specifically protect people with disabilities:

• To prevent disabled people from being denied access to education.
• To ensure disabled people can access services.
• To provide reasonable adjustments at work.
• To prevent discrimination.
• To protect the right to life.

Final Thoughts

These laws protect us all in many ways. Removing these rights would leave us unprotected from, for example, government abuse, and would deprive us of the right to dignity and employment rights.

Sources and Further Reading:

ECHR – Homepage of the European Court of Human Rights – ECHR – ECHR / CEDH

Equality Act 2010