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Issue Description
Human rights are the basic rights we all have, simply because we are human. There are many laws in place to protect our human rights, but despite this people around the world are still denied their rights and subjected to inhumane treatment. Globally, 126 million children are sent to work in hazardous conditions and many more young people do not receive a basic education. This book looks at what our rights are and how they can be abused.
The information comes from a variety of sources, including government reports and statistics, newspapers and magazine articles, surveys and polls, academic research and literature from charities and lobby groups; articles have been tailored to an 11 to 14 age group. Additionally, at the end of each chapter are two pages of activities relating to the articles and issues raised in that chapter.
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Key Facts
- Human rights belong to everyone. They are the basic rights we all have simply because we are human, regardless of who we are, where we live or what we do. (page 1)
- No one can have their human rights completely taken away – even if they have not met their responsibilities or have compromised the rights of others. (page 2)
- It is estimated that there are some 27 million slaves across the globe today. (page 10)
- 60% of men and 50% of women surveyed agreed with the statement ‘Britain should have, and use, the right to deport foreigners suspected by the intelligence services, even if there is not enough courtroom evidence to bring them to trial, and they might be sent to countries where they could be tortured’. (page 13)
- The Human Rights Act is a written law passed in 1998 which is in force in England and Wales. The human rights that are contained within this law are based on the articles of the European Convention on Human Rights. (page 14)
- Globally, one in six children work. Around 60% of these children work in hazardous conditions, such as in mines or in agriculture using dangerous machinery, chemicals or pesticides. An estimated 8.4 million children are trapped in the worst forms of child labour including slavery, trafficking, debt bondage, prostitution, work in armed conflict, pornography and other illicit activities. (page 20)
- Around the world, 121 million children are still missing out on their education. (page 22)
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Table of Contents
Chapter One: Our Human Rights
Introducing human rights, What are our human rights?, Human rights timeline, What human rights mean to me, Modern-day slavery, Modern slavery map, Torture: myths and facts, Inside the Human Rights Act, Activities.
Chapter Two: Children’s Rights
Children’s rights: the facts, Children’s rights, Child labour, Your rights, All equal?, Smacking, Smacking is a decision for parents, Activities.