Basic Rights and Liberties

What are our civil rights and civil liberties, and why are they important?

As Americans, we deserve basic rights, which are essential to democracy. Within these essential rights we expect equal protection under the law.

In modern politics, the terms civil rights and civil liberties have often been interchangeable, but there is a slight distinction between the two that’s important to keep in mind:

• Civil liberties protect the people against government actions.
• Civil rights are the positive actions our government should take to create equality for all Americans.

The First Amendment states:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Other rights and liberties include:

• Right to a fair public trial, including competent counsel, a fair bond, an impartial jury, knowledge of charges, and presumption of innocence.
• Right to privacy and freedom from unwarranted searches and seizures, including secret surveillance of phone and internet usage, and investigation of medical, financial, and library records.
• Freedom from arbitrary and indefinite detention and arbitrary and unfair deportation.
• Freedom from cruel and abusive treatment and punishment, including so-called ‘alternative interrogation techniques’, humiliating and degrading treatment, and torture as defined by international law.
• Freedom of speech and assembly, including the right to dissent without fear of government spying or intimidation.
• Freedom from discriminatory treatment based on race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender, or political beliefs.

Even though these rights are protected under the constitution, problems still arise today regarding our civil rights and liberties. This is a constantly evolving issue, and as we progress, setbacks still arise. It’s crucial that we know our rights, express them, and fight for them.