Important human rights cases
The right to express your religion in school
In July 2007, the High Court said that a school had broken race and religious discrimination laws by refusing to allow Sarika Watkins-Singh, a 14 year-old Sikh student, to wear a religious bangle called a kara. The court agreed that wearing the kara was ‘extremely important’ for Sarika and said that the kara did not stand out. Because of this and other reasons, the court said the case was different from that of Shabina Begum (see below).
In March 2006 the House of Lords (the highest court in this country) said that 13 year-old Shabina Begum’s school had acted correctly when it said she could not wear a jilbab in school. Although Shabina lost her case, the Government was told it must give guidelines to schools to help them make decisions fairly.
The right to privacy
In January 2006 the High Court agreed that young people have the right to confidential advice and treatment about contraception and sexual health, because to stop it would mean more young people not asking for help.
The right to be heard
In May 2005 the Court of Appeal said that three teenagers (aged 13, 15 and 17) whose parents were separating could have their own lawyer to put across their views.
The right to a fair trial
In November 2004 the European Court of Human Rights said an 11 year-old boy did not have a fair trial because he didn’t understand what was going on in court. An independent psychologist said the boy had an understanding of a 6 to 8 year-old.
The right to be safe
In November 2002 the High Court said children in prison must have the same protection from abuse and harm as children in families and other places such as children’s homes.
The right to be safe
In January 2001 the High Court stopped 3 big newspaper companies from publishing information about two 18 year olds who had been locked up for a murder they committed when they were 10. The judge said the young adults could suffer ‘serious physical harm and possible death’ if information about them was published.
The right to be protected from violence
In July 2007, the Court of Appeal said that new restraint rules introduced by the Government a year before went against children’s human rights. The change in the rules had allowed staff in child prisons to restrain children to keep ‘good order’, as well as being allowed to restrain them if they were a danger to themselves or others. The court said that the new restraint rules went against children’s right to dignity and protection from inhuman and degrading treatment.
If you think your rights have been ignored…
If you think your rights have been ignored, contact CRAE’s legal advice service, You’ve got the Right!, for children and young people.
