Examples of people who have used the Human Rights Act

This Amnesty International briefing provides examples of cases where people have used the Human Rights Act to challenge injustice and discrimination, protect individuals, and force changes in law, policy and practice due to failures in the system.

This briefing contains the following examples:

• Winning an inquiry into the Hillsborough football disaster.
• Allowing older couples to stay together.
• Justice for a murdered mother.
• John Worboys’ victims challenge police failure to investigate.
• Equal rights for unmarried couples.
• Protecting serving soldiers.
• Right to marry regardless of religious beliefs.
• Challenging racist violence in prisons.
• Helping ensure funerals accord with beliefs.
• Proper responsibility for the Spycops Scandal.
• Challenging modern-day slavery and trafficking.
• Ensuring proper care from the NHS.
• Abortion rights in Northern Ireland.
• Winning dignified care provision.
• Protecting a person with Asperger syndrome from extradition.
• Protecting privacy of innocent people.
• Helping parents care for their children.
• Winning equal housing rights for same-sex couples.