... the issue of rights as 'obsolete verbal rubbish'. However as democracy swept over Western Europe the idea of rights and human rights began to have credibility and take shape. The incorporation of human rights into legislation has meant a redefining of the boundaries that are set in order for legitimate government to operate democratically. In today's society human rights have much more credence than ordinary law and can outweigh such law in the courts. These rights are fundamental and universal and can arguably overshadow any institutional rights. In 1998 the European Human Rights Act was incorporated into UK legislation and gave individuals of member states a constitution where their rights were clearly shown and could be defended by different articles of the act. In terms of the question supporters of hunts had defined rights according to this European act and were eligible to appeal against any government interference or legislation ...

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