AQA citizenship Rights and Responsibilities

Rights

Freedoms or entitlements that people are allowed by law.

Human rights

Basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person in the world, regardless of who they are.

Legal rights

Rights protected and enforced by law.

Civil rights

Rights that protect people's freedom and equality, such as freedom of speech.

Political rights

Rights that allow people to participate in politics, e.g. voting.

Economic rights

Rights related to work, pay and living standards.

Social rights

Rights relating to welfare, health and education.

Responsibilities

Duties or obligations people have to follow laws and respect others' rights.

Legal responsibility

Requirement to follow the law; breaking it leads to punishment.

Moral responsibility

Doing what is right based on values, even if not required by law.

Law

Rules set by Parliament that must be followed.

Rule of law

Principle that everyone is equal before the law and no one is above it.

Justice

Fairness in the way laws are applied and people are treated.

Equality before the law

Everyone is treated the same by the legal system.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

1948 UN document setting out basic human rights for everyone.

European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)

Agreement protecting rights across Europe.

Human Rights Act (1998)

UK law that allows people to enforce ECHR rights in UK courts.

United Nations (UN)

International organisation that promotes peace, security and human rights.

Right to life

Everyone has the right to live.

Freedom of speech

Right to express opinions without censorship.

Freedom of religion

Right to practise any religion or none.

Freedom of assembly

Right to protest peacefully.

Right to a fair trial

Right to be judged fairly by an independent court.

Right to privacy

Protection of personal life and data.

Public interest

What benefits society as a whole.

Equality

Treating people fairly and without discrimination.

Discrimination

Treating someone unfairly because of who they are.

Protected characteristics

Features protected by law (e.g. age, race, sex, religion).

Equality Act (2010)

UK law protecting people from discrimination.

Freedom

Ability to act or think without unfair restrictions.

Tolerance

Respecting and accepting differences in others.

Individual liberty

Freedom to make personal choices without harming others.

Campaigning

Organised actions to bring about change.

Protest

Public expression of objection or support.

Citizen

A legal member of a country.

Democracy

System where people have a say in how they are governed.

Voting

Choosing representatives in an election.

Participation

Taking part in civic or political activities.