Who does the Human Rights Act apply to?
The Act applies to all public authorities (such as central government departments, local authorities and NHS Trusts) and other bodies performing public functions (such as private companies operating prisons). These organisations must comply with the Act – and your human rights – when providing you with a service or making decisions that have a decisive impact upon your rights. Although the Act does not apply to private individuals or companies (except where they are performing public functions), sometimes a public authority has a duty to stop people or companies abusing your human rights. For example, a public authority that knows a child is being abused by its parents has a duty to protect the child from inhuman or degrading treatment. Your rights under the Human Rights Act 1998 are not the only rights you have. To find out how the law protects other rights, see Your rights in action and Equality and diversity. Can human rights ever be restricted? Some human rights – like the right no
