Civil rights are considered natural rights. This set of laws was established to promote freedom and equality among the citizens of a democratic nation. Civil rights protect citizens from discrimination based on race, class, gender, religion, age, nationality, political party, and disability.
In most countries, both civil and political rights are codified as constitutional rights. They are included and clearly stated in the bill of rights of a particular nation. Civil rights refer to the first ten amendments to the United States Bill of Rights. Like the universality of civil rights in general, it grants American citizens the following basic constitutional rights:
– The First Amendment protects the rights of citizens to freedom of speech, religion, and assembly.
This is self explanatory. The most important statement that prohibits the federal government from enacting laws that may interfere or limit people’s freedom to choose religion, personal expression (freedom of speech and the press) and the ability to organize a political assembly.
– The Fourth Amendment protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures of their homes and property.
This ensures that the unreasonable search and seizure of a person’s home and property is illegal unless the law enforcement officer files a search warrant, arrest warrant, or similar court order. A probable reason must be established and explained to the individual prior to any search and seizure. Police officers must even present documentation of the exact location of the search and the exact description of what they are looking for.
– The Fifth Amendment protects citizens against abuse of government authority in legal proceedings.
This law guarantees procedural protections for those accused of crimes and guarantees that the government cannot deprive a citizen of life, liberty or property without due process of law.
– The Sixth Amendment protects the rights of citizens to a speedy public trial, a jury trial, and the right to an attorney.
This is an extension of the Fifth Amendment in terms of procedural protections. The old adage that a person remains innocent until proven otherwise is what it is all about. The defendant in criminal proceedings has the right to a speedy trial, which is generally assessed by the absence of unreasonable delay. It also grants the right to be represented by a lawyer of your choice or own representation if the accused is competent enough. Finally, this amendment also confirms the right to an impartial jury. The exception to jury duty are misdemeanors that only require a short prison term.
– The Eighth Amendment protects citizens against abuse by the federal government in the form of excessive bail, excessive fines, cruel and unusual punishments.
Bail refers to the process of depositing money to temporarily release someone from jail until a proper trial. It is illegal to require the defendant to pay excessive fines and bonds. Cruel and unusual punishments such as boiling to death, burning alive, stoning, gutting and other forms of torture are prohibited by law. Execution of persons under the age of 18 and / or mentally disabled is also considered a violation of the Eighth Amendment.
Many questions have continually arisen about the extent to which the government can intervene in the ever-changing problems that society has faced over time. Although there is a notable improvement from the time of the Civil Rights Movement, issues around discrimination are still a work in progress. One thing is for sure, if people are deprived of their civil and political rights, history says that social unrest may be inevitable.