Bill of Rights 1689

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• Title: The Bill of Rights 1689: An Act declaring the Rights and Liberties of the Subject, and settling the Succession of the Crown.
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  Date : December 1689
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  Medium : Parchment
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  Catalogue number : Parliamentary Archives, HL/PO/PU/1/1688/1W&Ms2n2;
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  Description :

  The Bill of Rights 1689 is an iron gall ink manuscript on parchment. It is an original Act of the English Parliament and has been in the custody of Parliament since its creation. The Bill firmly established the principles of frequent parliaments, free elections and freedom of speech within Parliament – known today as Parliamentary Privilege. It also includes no right of taxation without Parliament’s agreement, freedom from government interference, the right of petition and just treatment of people by courts. The main principles of the Bill of Rights are still in force today - particularly being cited in legal cases – and was used as a model for the US Bill of Rights 1789. Its influence can also be seen in other documents establishing the rights of humans, such as the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights.