This guide is designed for officials in public authorities to assist them in working with the Human Rights Act 1998 – which has been described as the most important piece of constitutional legislation passed in the United Kingdom since the achievement of universal suffrage in 1918.
It tells you (at pages 6 to 9) what rights are contained in the Human Rights Act. It explains at page 3 how, in certain circumstances, rights can be refused or restricted – in particular where there is a real and serious danger to
public safety.
This guide is short and simple. It gives you a brief introduction to human rights for use in straightforward situations. More detailed guidance can be found in the human rights handbook for public officials, Human Rights and Human Lives, produced by the Ministry of Justice.