Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms |
The Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms was passed by the National Assembly of Quebec in 1975. This framework
law is part of the Quebec Statutes together with other quasi-constitutional laws such as the Charter of the French Language.
Part I defines the fundamental human rights of all Quebecers. It contains 5 chapters defining fundamental freedoms and rights,
political rights, judicial rights, economic and social rights, and interpretative provisions.
Part II establishes the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse (Human Rights and Youth
Commission) which is an institution responsible for promoting and upholding the principles of the Charter by any appropriate
measures.
The other parts deal with affirmative actions programs, rights to confidentiality, governmental regulations, the Human Rights
Tribunal and some final legal provisions.
Part IV defines rights to confidentiality.
Part V defines regulations the Government may adopt.
Part VI establishes the Human Rights tribunal.
Comparison With other Human Rights Instruments
The Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms is a solid legal framework, superceding all other laws passed by the National
Assembly. The Quebec Charter is one that covers all fundamental human rights and also some important political, social, and
economic rights not always protected in western democracies. The protections contained in the Charter are inspired by the
Universal Declaration of
Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights. The extent of the rights covered by the Quebec charter makes it one of the most progressive human rights laws in the
world.
See also
External links
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