PROGRAMME 2
Activities
Discussion Group Questions
- Does Prime Minister Richard Wheeler's argument that 'the British people want radical, decisive, effective government' justify suspending normal parliamentary procedure?
- The curfew, street begging and asylum are the three issues at the top of the government's agenda. What do the groups affected by these policies have in common?
- What do you make of the journalist's decision not to follow up the story? Can you understand her choice, and how do you think she might try to justify it (if at all)? Does a journalist have any particular responsibilities to the public in this sort of situation?
Activity: Who's Right?
- How many rights would you say have been disregarded or contravened in the series so far? Make a list. How many are you able to identify?
- Compare your list to the list below. Are there many differences? Why do you think you have chosen the rights you have chosen?
Freedom of thought, conscience and religion
This will guarantee people's choices for their own religion, both privately and publicly.
Right to life
No one shall be deprived of his or her life intentionally save in the execution of a court sentence.
Freedom of expression
This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and receive and impart information and ideas, subject to the need to maintain public order and security.
Prohibition of torture
No one shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Right to peaceful assembly and freedom of association
People may choose to join an organisation or informal meeting to discuss ideas or protest.
Freedom from slavery
However, forced labour does not include punishments from the courts, military service, or demands made in an emergency.
Right to marry
Men and women of marriageable age have the right to marry and to have a family.
Right to liberty and security However, detention is acceptable where the police, courts and other agents of the government are granted legal powers. Anyone detained should be told why, and have the right to take proceedings to check the legality of their detention.
Prohibition of discrimination Discriminating on any ground such as sex, race, colour, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, association with a national minority, property, birth or other status is a breach of human rights.
Right to a fair trial
Includes right to court trial with independent judge(s); equal hearing for both parties and the assumption of innocence until proven guilty.
Right to education
No person shall be denied the right to education, and the State shall respect the right of parents to ensure that the education is in conformity with their own religious and philosophical convictions.
Right to enjoy one's possessions
No one shall be deprived of his possessions except in the public interest and subject to the conditions provided for by law and by the general principles of international law.
Right to free elections
Free elections should be held at reasonable intervals by secret ballot, to ensure the free expression of the opinion of the people in the choice of the legislature.
Right to respect for private and family life
Public authorities may only interfere with this right in the interests of national security, public safety, economic well being of the country, and the protection of others' rights.
Source: The Charity Commission for England and Wales, Human Rights Act 1998 Operational guidance
(For unedited list see: www.charity-commission.gov.uk/supportingcharities/ogs/g071a002.asp)
- Arrange your list of rights in order according to how important you think they are, supplementing them with a selection of rights from the list above if necessary.
- Rights do not work unless we accept the responsibility to uphold them – for ourselves and for others. What responsibilities do you think are important? Is it possible to protect everybody's rights all the time? Or do rights sometimes conflict? If so, how do we decide which rights take priority?
- Divide the rights in the list above into two groups: Absolute and Qualified rights. Absolute rights cannot be restricted in any way. Qualified rights may be restricted – governments and courts have to think about the balance between an individual's rights and the rest of society. (NB There are no rights or wrongs to this activity, just debates!)
- Present and justify your division of Absolute and Qualified rights to the rest of the class.
