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Civil Rights

Civil rights are considered natural rights. This set of laws was established to promote freedom and equality among 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 in the bill of rights of a particular nation. Civil rights refer to the first ten amendments to the Charter of the United States. As the universality of civil rights in general, the rights to U.S. citizens following basic constitutional rights:

- The First Amendment protects the rights of citizens to freedom of expression, religion and assembly.

This is self explanatory. The most important statement that prohibits the federal government to make laws that may interfere or limit the freedom of individuals to choose a religion, free speech (freedom of expression and press freedom), and the ability to organize a political meeting.

- The Fourth Amendment protects citizens from unreasonable search and seizure of their homes and properties.

This ensures that unwarranted search and seizure of a person's house and property is illegal unless a search warrant, warrant of arrest or a similar court order is presented by the law enforcement officer. One likely reason is to be established and explained to the person before any search and seizure. Police officers are still required to submit documentation of the exact location of the search and the exact description of what you are looking for.

- The Fifth Amendment protects citizens against abuse of government authority in a legal proceeding.

This law ensures due process for defendants and claims that the government can not deprive a citizen of life, liberty or property without due process of law.

- The Sixth Amendment protects the rights of citizens in a speedy and public trial, trial by jury and the right to a lawyer.

This is an extension of the Fifth Amendment in terms of procedural safeguards. The old adage that one person remains innocent until proven otherwise is what this is all about. The defendant in a criminal proceeding has the right to a speedy trial usually measured by the absence of undue delay. It also grants the right to be represented by a lawyer of his choice or self-representation if the defendant is competent enough. Finally, the right to an impartial jury is also ratified this amendment. Exception to the right of the jury are misdemeanors that require little time in prison.

- The Eighth Amendment protects citizens against abuses of the federal government in the form of excessive bail, excessive fines, cruel and unusual punishment.

The bond refers to the process of paying money to free someone temporarily from prison until the trial proper. It is illegal to require the defendant to pay excessive bail or fines. Cruel and unusual punishments such as boiling to death, burning alive, stoning, evisceration, and other forms of torture are prohibited by law. The execution of persons under 18 and / or mental disabilities are also considered as violations of the Eighth Amendment.

Several questions are raised continually to what extent the government can intervene in matters constantly changing society has faced in its waiting time. Although there is a marked improvement in the time of the civil rights movement, issues of discrimination are still a work in progress. One thing is certain, if people are deprived of their civil and political history that social unrest may be inevitable.