If your rights have been restricted, you have the right to challenge the legality and validity of that restriction. This right is known as the right to an effective remedy.

The right to an effective remedy guarantees every person, who considers that their human rights have been unduly restricted, access to a court or other independent body which can examine all aspects of the complaint and offer a preventive remedy or at least compensation if rights have already been violated.

This section of the Guide explains the  ways in which human rights may be restricted and the obligations which the State has when restricting human rights in each way. It also explains the right to an effective remedy and the mechanisms which are available for you to challenge human rights restrictions.