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The role of human rights in the UK democratic process

Inquiry

The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has said that “democracy, human rights and the rule of law are interdependent and mutually reinforce each other. Weakening one endangers the others”. The United Nations has also said that “democracy provides an environment for the protection and effective realisation of human rights”. In 2002, the UN Commission on Human Rights (since replaced by the Human Rights Council) declared the following as essential elements of democracy:

Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms
Freedom of association
Freedom of expression 
Access to power and its exercise in accordance with the rule of law
The holding of periodic free and fair elections by universal suffrage and by secret ballot as the expression of the will of the people
A pluralistic system of political parties and organisations
The separation of powers
The independence of the judiciary
Transparency and accountability in public administration
Free, independent and pluralistic media.

In the run up to the general election, the JCHR seeks to assess the relationship between human rights and democracy in the UK.

The deadline for submissions was Friday 24 May 2024.

No upcoming events scheduled

The Committee is unable to look into individual cases

Email: jchr@parliament.uk
Phone: 0207 219 2793 (general enquiries) | 020 7219 8430 (media enquiries)
Address: Joint Committee on Human Rights, Houses of Parliament. London. SW1A 0AA