Human Rights Law
Human Rights are the basic rights and freedoms to which all human beings are entitled, like civil and political rights, the right to life and liberty, freedom of thought and speech/expression, equality before the law, social, cultural and economic rights, the right to food, the right to work, and the right to education. In short, human rights are freedoms established by custom or international agreement that protect the interests of humans and the conduct of governments in every nation.
Human rights are distinct from civil liberties, which are freedoms established by the law of a particular state and applied by that state in its own jurisdiction.
Human rights laws have been defined by international conventions, by treaties, and by organizations, particularly the United Nations. These laws prohibit practices such as torture, slavery, summary execution without trial, and arbitrary detention or exile. Many human rights are secured by agreements between the governments and those they govern, such as the U.S. Constitution. Others are protected by international laws and pressure.
For more information on Human Rights laws, please refer to the materials below. Additionally, should you need the assistance of a human rights attorney, you may find lists of legal professionals on our Law Firms page.
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Human Rights Articles
- Supreme Court to Decide If Civil Rights Act Protects LGBTQ RightsThe Civil Rights Act of 1964 established U.S. workers’ immunity from discrimination on the basis of their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
- DNA Genealogy Data Used to Solve Crimes – Promises and PerilsToday in America, we are regularly presented with headlines, promotions and offers on digital and other media that tell us that by submitting a DNA sample (spit into small bottle and mail in), this will provide a great way to connect generations, to build a family tree and find out more than just the place you’re from through Ancestry DNA and Ancestry Health. A different well-known firm, 23andme offers equivalent services through its DNA Ancestry + Traits and Health + Ancestry.
- What Happens When the Police Conduct a Warrantless Search in Colorado?In most cases, the police need to have a search warrant issued by a judge before they can enter a private residence, search the residence, or seize items from the residence. If they do not have a warrant, they are not permitted to search a residence or seize items that they find in it without either consent or exigent circumstance. What happens when the police don't follow these constitutional rules?
- 4th Amendment and "Community Care Taking" in CaliforniaIs an entry into a person's home and seizing evidence permissible in California or does it violates the 4th amendment?
- Free Speech on the Job – Can My Employer Fire Me?While the ability to say what the employee wants is possible, freedom of speech os not without possible consequences depending on what is said in an office environment. The employee may have protected rights in public, but policies in the workplace dictate what he or she can say and do within the building.
- Illegal Searches: Challenging the Underlying AffidavitAn illegal search can happen through a written order that does not specify what occurs at the residence such as searching rooms that are not in the document or if there is an error that states a different address. The resident has the right to challenge the affidavit if the search is illegal because of these errors or other connected reasons.
- Discrimination in Public Places – When Does It Rise to an Actionable Claim?Discrimination is a tricky subject to applicable legal action when the person harmed is not within the confines of a business or working for an employer that breaks the law through discrimination of protected characteristics. However, there are certain issues which a person may pursue legal action when an injury occurs through public discrimination.
- Civil Asset Forfeiture - The Impact of the Timbs v. Indiana RulingStates involved in civil asset forfeiture do not have the right to ignore the Constitution, federal rules and what the Supreme Court states about something such as when a ruling comes down about a case involving these matters. It is important to understand the impact of various court cases and the ruling that Court makes.
- Illegal Search and Seizure – Making a Successful ChallengeWhen police do not have a proper or valid warrant or the officer takes liberties with the situation, the individual affected may have a valid claim against the local law enforcement department and could successfully challenge the search and seizure of property. He or she will need the services of a lawyer to implement the challenge appropriately.
- Convicted of Voyeurism - Do I Have to Register as a Sex Offender?When convicted of a crime involving illegal acts of sex, with or without the involvement of a minor, the person can face the requirement to register as a sex offender. This, however, is not necessarily the outcome of all sex crimes. Even with registration, the person may not need to remain on the sex offenders’ list indefinitely, as this normally depends on the state.
- All Civil Rights Law Articles
Articles written by attorneys and experts worldwide discussing legal aspects related to Civil Rights including: constitutional law, consumer law, discrimination, human rights, native populations, privacy law, public law and sexual harassment.
- Can Bad Food Be a Violation of the Eighth Amendment Prohibition of Cruel and Unusual Punishment?
- What is the Difference Between a Human Right and a Civil Right?
- When Does the Geneva Convention Apply?
