3.1 CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS

Civil and political rights are defined in articles 3 to 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. They are defined in more detail in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The convention’s articles contain provisions concerning:

• the right to life (Article 6)

• the right not to be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (Article 7)

• a prohibition against slavery (Article 8)

• the right not to be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention (Article 9)

• the fact that all people deprived of their liberty shall be treated humanely (Article 10)

• the freedom of movement and the right to decide yourself where you want to live (Article 12)

• the right to equality in front of courts and tribunals and guarantees regarding legal protection (Article 14)

• a prohibition against penal laws having retroactive effect (Article 15)

• everyone having the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law (Article 16)

• the right not to be subjected to arbitrary interference regarding one’s privacy, family, home or correspondence (Article 17)

• the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion (Article 18) and freedom of opinion and expression (Article 19)

• the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association including the right to join trade unions (Article 22)

• the right to take part in the governing of one’s country (Article 25)

• the right to equality before the law (Article 26)

More than 150 states have ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. They are legally bound to implement the rights immediately after ratification.