Civil Rights

Human rights: 800 years of human rights in the United Kingdom explored using original documents from the National Archives

Online exhibition created by the National Archives, last updated in 2008. Provides free access to a large collection of primary source materials relating to human rights in the UK from 1215 to 1945. Users may browse a timeline, view supporting images and read background information. There is also a glossary of terms. Topics include Magna Carta; the Peasants' Revolt; women's rights; and trade unions.

Privacy - OECD

Section of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) website devoted to its work on privacy. An overview of the policy area is provided, together with links to documents including the OECD Privacy Guidelines; the 2022 'Declaration on government access to personal data held by private sector entities'; and the 2007 'Recommendation on co-operation in cross-border enforcement of privacy law'. The OECD website is available in English and French.

VOTA

The VOTA database is produced by the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) and managed in cooperation with the Mexican Electoral Tribunal of the Federal Judiciary (TEPJF). VOTA contains national electoral legislation of Council of Europe member states, covering topics such as universal suffrage, political parties, electoral systems, referendums, voter registration, frequency of elections and polling stations. Materials provided include laws, constitutions and opinions.

Ministry of Justice

Ministry of Justice section of the UK government website, covering courts, prisons, probation services, civil rights and related matters. Provides research reports and studies, rules and guidance, policy documents and statistics. Offers information to the general public about rights and the law, including legal advice and legal aid; consumer rights; data protection; disability rights; problems in the workplace; and residential property disputes. 

Civil Rights Litigation Clearinghouse

The Civil Rights Litigation Clearinghouse is an initiative of the Law School at Washington University in St. Louis. Designed to increase understanding of civil rights litigation in the United States, it is a collection of US civil rights case documents, focusing on areas such as child welfare, disability rights, immigration, prison conditions, election/voting rights, juvenile institutions, nursing home conditions, public housing and school desegregation.

Equality and Human Rights Commission

The Equality and Human Rights Commission is a UK body which replaced the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE), the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) and the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC). Its website provides advice relating to discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, gender, race, religion or sexual orientation and gives practical guidance on bringing a discrimination claim. There is a section dealing with rights in settings including employment, shops and services, health and social care, legal services, transport and education.

Investigatory Powers Commissioner's Office

The Investigatory Powers Commissioner's Office (ICPO), formerly the Office of the Surveillance Commissioners, monitors UK public authorities' use of covert surveillance, interception of communications, acquisition of communications data and other investigatory powers. Its website provides details of the work of the ICPO and the legal framework, with links to the relevant legislation. It also provides policy documents, guidance and information about the Technology Advisory Panel.

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