Human Rights Overview Quiz

Laws that originate from a higher, divine power. These laws are believed to be inherent and universal, governing conduct based on moral principles.

Laws that originate from political authority and are enforced by the state. They are human-made and aim to maintain social order.

A school of legal thought that challenges the objectivity of law, arguing that it is often used to perpetuate gender inequality and oppression.

A legal philosophy that emphasizes the practical application of law by judges and legal professionals, rather than abstract theories or philosophical principles.

A method of determining guilt or innocence in ancient and medieval societies. It involved subjecting the accused to painful or dangerous tests, with survival or healing seen as divine intervention.

A medieval practice where disputing parties fought, and the outcome determined guilt or innocence. The belief was that God would favor the righteous combatant.

A philosophical concept that describes laws reflecting inherent moral principles, discoverable through reason and divine revelation.

A system of legal rules that are created and enforced by a government or other authority.

A type of legal system where two opposing parties present their cases to a neutral judge or jury.

The idea that laws should be based on a social contract, where individuals agree to give up some freedoms in exchange for security and peace.

The belief that governments should protect the fundamental rights of individuals, including life, liberty, and property.

A system of legal rules that are revealed by God, often found in sacred texts.

Laws beyond human comprehension, representing the perfect order of the universe.

The idea that laws must adapt to technological changes and advancements.

Principles that guarantee equal treatment and freedom from discrimination for all individuals.

Unjustified treatment based on characteristics like race, gender, or sexual orientation.

Preconceived judgments about a group based on limited information or stereotypes.

Oversimplified or fixed notions about a group, ignoring individual differences.

A legal framework that protects individuals from discrimination based on specific characteristics.

A landmark international declaration outlining fundamental human rights.

Organizations that investigate and address human rights violations.

The process of filing a complaint against a violation of human rights.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) was established in 2002 to prosecute individuals for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community. It is a court of last resort, meaning it only steps in when national courts are unable or unwilling to prosecute.

The Rome Statute is the treaty that established the International Criminal Court. It was signed in 1998 and entered into force in 2002. It defines the crimes that fall under the ICC's jurisdiction and outlines the court's procedures.

The ICC can only prosecute crimes committed after July 1, 2002, in countries that have ratified the Rome Statute, or in cases referred by the UN Security Council.

Genocide is the intentional destruction of a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group, which includes killing members, causing serious harm, preventing births, and forcibly transferring children.

Crimes against humanity are serious violations committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population. Examples include murder, rape, torture, enslavement, deportation, and persecution.

War crimes are grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions during an armed conflict. Examples include killing or torturing prisoners of war or civilians, attacking hospitals, directing attacks against historical monuments, and using child soldiers.

The ICC aims to ensure that trials are fair, victims are heard, prosecutions are independent, defendants' rights are upheld, and victims and witnesses are protected.

The ICC complements existing national courts and only steps in when national courts are unable or unwilling to prosecute fairly. It does not replace national legal systems.

A nation's fundamental set of rules that outlines the structure of its government, the legal system, and the division of powers between different governing bodies.

A set of rules that political actors must adhere to when creating, modifying, or eliminating laws.

The written document outlining the fundamental principles, structure, and powers of Canada's government, including the division of authority between federal and provincial governments.

The process by which a nation formally adopts its constitution, often involving a specific process or agreement.

Process by which a nation's constitution can be amended or changed, usually requiring a specific set of procedures or agreements.

The power of the Canadian government to create, modify, or revoke laws, which is further subdivided between different levels of government.

A British statute that established Canada as a dominion with its own constitution, outlining the division of powers between the federal and provincial governments.

Unwritten customs and practices that are not formally codified in a written constitution but are followed in the operation of government.

Legal precedents, principles, and guidelines established by court rulings that interpret the constitution and its application.

The process by which the Canadian Constitution was officially transferred from British control to Canadian jurisdiction in 1982.

A process for amending the Canadian Constitution, requiring agreement from both federal and provincial governments.

A proposed charter of rights that received initial support but faced opposition, leading to its withdrawal.

A political proposal by the Parti Quebecois government that aimed to grant Quebec greater autonomy while maintaining certain economic ties with Canada.

The process of formally securing and protecting a portion of a constitution from being easily altered or repealed, preventing it from being changed without significant agreement.

A constitutional package proposed by Prime Minister Mulroney that aimed to address some issues related to Quebec and provincial autonomy.

A remedy seeks to fix a situation resulting from discrimination, aiming to restore the complainant to the position they would have been in if the discrimination hadn't occurred.

General damages compensate for intangible losses like pain, suffering, and damage to reputation or dignity caused by discrimination.

Special damages compensate for concrete financial losses incurred due to discrimination, such as medical costs, lost income, or lost rental deposits.

Non-financial remedies aim to correct the situation and make it seem as if discrimination didn't occur.

Public interest remedies aim to prevent future discrimination from occurring by addressing systemic issues.

The Ontario Human Rights Code is a comprehensive law in Canada that protects individuals from discrimination on various grounds, including race.

The Ontario Human Rights Code defines race broadly, encompassing creed, citizenship, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, and ancestry.

Race is a social construct based on physical differences that society chooses to emphasize, ultimately creating categories of people.

Racialization refers to attaching traits and attributes to individuals based on perceptions about their race. It often involves features outside of European culture being seen as different or negative.

Racial discrimination is a prohibited act that involves any distinction, conduct, or action based on a person's race, whether intentional or not.

Systemic discrimination refers to built-in biases and inequalities within systems and institutions that disadvantage certain racial groups.

Stereotyping is making assumptions about individuals based on perceived traits associated with their race, often leading to unfair judgments.

Residential schools were government-funded institutions that forcibly separated Indigenous children from their families, aiming to assimilate them into European culture. These schools had devastating impacts on Indigenous families and communities.

The Chinese Head Tax was a discriminatory fee imposed on Chinese immigrants entering Canada, designed to limit their numbers. It was part of a broader system of racist policies targeting Chinese people.

The Japanese internment during World War II saw Japanese Canadians wrongly imprisoned in camps based on suspicion and fear. This was a major violation of their human rights.