The document traces the historical development of important documents establishing rights and liberties from individuals from rulers, including: - Magna Carta (1215) which limited the power of English kings and affirmed certain rights of free men. - The English Bill of Rights (1689) which established rights like freedom of speech in Parliament and limited the power of the monarchy. - The United States Declaration of Independence (1776) and French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (1789) which established rights during liberal revolutions. - Ultimately, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) signed by nations after World War II which established fundamental rights for all people.

1. PRESENTED BY FRANCESCO CARELLO, LUCA
COPPOLA, EMANUELE DE CICCO, ROBERTO
FUSCO, LUCA LEMBO, LUIGI PARLA

2. Magna Carta (Latin for Great Charter), also called Magna Carta
Libertatum or The Great Charter of the Liberties of England, is an
Angevin charter originally issued in Latin. It was sealed under oath by
King John at Runnymede, on the bank of the River Thames near
Windsor, England, on 15 June 1215.
Magna Carta was the first document imposed upon a King of England
by a group of his subjects, the feudal barons, in an attempt to limit his
powers by law and protect their rights.
MagnaCartawas the first step
for the affirmation of human rights .

3. Magna Carta most important clauses
Clause 39 is possibly the best known. It has never been rescinded and is immediately relevant
to the present government. It says that "No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, or
stripped of his rights and possessions, or outlawed or exiled, or deprived of his standing in
any other way, nor will we proceed with force against him, or send others to do so, except by
the lawful judgement of his equals or by the law of the land." When MPs try to block the
Government's proposal to hold suspected terrorists for up to 42 days without charges, they
will be, in effect, upholding a piece of law signed by King John 792 years ago.
Clause 38 is almost as important. It said: "No official shall place a man on trial upon his own
unsupported statement, without producing credible witnesses to the truth of it." Most of the
worst injustices in recent legal history have occurred when people have been convicted on no
real evidence other than confessions made under interrogation. Clause 40 promised to end
the system by which rich offenders could simply buy their way out of trouble. For a medieval
monarch to make promises like these, even with his fingers figuratively crossed, was an
extraordinary moment in history.

4. We have to wait a long time to see another
important document for the independence of the
subjects by the King. In 1689 William of Orange
approved the Bill of Rights (that is still now some of
the basic documents of the uncodified British
constitution). It established the freedom of speech
in Parliament and became a model for the new
liberal States that were born at that time…

5. he Bill of Rights laid out certain basic rights for all Englishmen. The Act stated that there should be
no royal interference with the law. Though the sovereign remains the fount of justice, he or she cann
unilaterally establish new courts or act as a judge.
•no taxation by Royal Preorogative. The agreement of the parliament became necessary for the
implementation of any new taxes
•freedom to petition the monarch without fear of retribution
•no standing army may be maintained during a time of peace without the consent of parliament.
•no royal interference in the freedom of the people to have armsfor their own defence as suitable to
heir class and as allowed by law (simultaneously restoring rights previously taken from Protestants
by James II)
•no royal interference in the election of members of Parliament
•the Freedom of speech and debates or proceedings in Parliament ought not to be impeached or
questioned in any court or place out of Parliament
•"grants and promises of fines or forfeitures" before conviction are void.
•no excessive bail or "cruel and unusual" punishments may be imposed.

6. In the first part of the 19th century the world was hit
by liberal revolutions; from France to the United
States the kings had to allow constitutions to their
subjects. The conquest of freedom was next.
Important documents were: Declaration of
Independence, Declaration of Men and Citizens.

7. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the last step of the freedom path. It was
signed by the World War Two winners and is the fondamental document of the
United Nations.
This are some of the most important articles tha the declaration contains:
• All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and
conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
• Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of
any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social
origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the
political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs,
whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.
• Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
• Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial
tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.