Civil liberties

Civil Liberties

Civil liberties (/ˈsɪvɪl lɪˈbɜːrtiːz/), from the Latin civis meaning citizen and libertas meaning freedom, are the personal guarantees and freedoms that the government cannot abridge, either by law, constitution, or judicial interpretation. These liberties are established to ensure the protection of certain individual rights such as freedom of speech, right to privacy, right to a fair trial, and freedom of religion.

Etymology

The term "civil liberties" is derived from the Latin words civis, meaning "citizen", and libertas, meaning "freedom". It refers to the freedoms that are granted to citizens by virtue of their status as members of a civil society.

Related Terms

• Constitutional Law: The body of law which defines the relationship of different entities within a state, namely, the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary.
• Human Rights: The basic rights and freedoms to which all individuals are entitled, often held to include the right to life and liberty, freedom of thought and expression, and equality before the law.
• Freedom of Speech: The right to express any opinions without censorship or restraint.
• Right to Privacy: The human right and an element of various legal traditions which may restrain both government and private party action that threatens the privacy of individuals.
• Freedom of Religion: The right of an individual or community, in public or private, to manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance.

See Also

• Bill of Rights
• Civil Rights
• Democracy
• Rule of Law

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