Right to Life: Exploring the Protection Against Arbitrary Deprivation of Life

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a core principle of the right to life as enshrined in international human rights law?

Accepted Answer

The right to a fair trial

Answer

Protection from arbitrary deprivation of life

Answer

Protection from torture and ill-treatment

Answer

Equality before the law

Question 2

In the United Kingdom, capital punishment is:

Accepted Answer

Abolished for all crimes

Answer

Still in force for certain crimes

Answer

Legal only in cases of terrorism

Answer

Restored in 2023

Question 3

Which provision of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) protects the right to life?

Accepted Answer

Article 2

Answer

Article 3

Answer

Article 5

Answer

Article 8

Question 4

The principle of proportionality in the context of the right to life means that:

Accepted Answer

Force used to protect life must be strictly necessary and proportionate to the threat

Answer

Life can only be taken as a punishment for the most serious crimes

Answer

Governments have absolute power to decide when life may be taken

Answer

Individuals have a right to resist any attempt to deprive them of life

Question 5

The right to life includes the right to:

Accepted Answer

Bodily integrity

Answer

A clean environment

Answer

Education

Answer

Health care

Question 6

The concept of the 'threshold of viability' is relevant to discussions on:

Accepted Answer

Abortion

Answer

Euthanasia

Answer

Capital punishment

Answer

Torture

Question 7

Which exception to the right to life under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights permits the use of lethal force?

Accepted Answer

Defense against unlawful violence

Answer

Capital punishment for minors

Answer

Prevention of a crime

Answer

Acts of war

Question 8

Which argument against the use of the death penalty highlights its potential to result in irreversible and irreparable harm?

Accepted Answer

It is irreversible

Answer

It is cruel and inhumane

Answer

It does not deter crime

Answer

It violates the right to a fair trial

Question 9

How has the Human Rights Act 1998 influenced the interpretation of the right to life in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

It has expanded the scope of the right to life, incorporating the European Convention on Human Rights into domestic law

Answer

It has narrowed the scope of the right to life, limiting its application to specific circumstances

Answer

It has had no significant impact on the interpretation of the right to life

Answer

It has eliminated the right to life as a fundamental human right

Question 10

Which ethical principle, as applied in medical decision-making, allows for an action that has both intended and unintended consequences, as long as the intended consequences are morally justified?

Accepted Answer

An act may be morally justified even if it has a harmful side effect

Answer

An act may be morally justified only if it has no harmful side effects

Answer

An act may never be morally justified if it has a harmful side effect

Answer

An act may be morally justified only if the harmful side effect is intended

Question 11

How has the right to life been interpreted in relation to the use of lethal force by law enforcement officers?

Accepted Answer

Officers may use deadly force only when it is strictly necessary to protect their own lives or the lives of others from imminent threat

Answer

Officers may use deadly force to prevent suspects from escaping arrest

Answer

Officers may use deadly force to suppress public disorder

Answer

Law enforcement officers have unlimited discretion in the use of deadly force

Question 12

What is the primary function of the European Court of Human Rights in relation to the protection of the right to life?

Accepted Answer

It can rule on individual complaints alleging violations of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Answer

It can issue binding judgments on member states that violate the Convention.

Answer

It can initiate investigations into potential violations of the Convention.

Answer

It has no jurisdiction over the protection of the right to life.

Question 13

Which international covenant explicitly prohibits the arbitrary deprivation of life and guarantees the right to life?

Accepted Answer

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

Answer

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Answer

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Answer

European Convention on Human Rights

Question 14

As of 2023, which European country is the only one that has not abolished capital punishment?

Accepted Answer

Belarus

Answer

Russia

Answer

Turkey

Answer

United Kingdom

Question 15

Which argument against capital punishment do abolitionists typically prioritize?

Accepted Answer

It is irreversible and can result in wrongful convictions.

Answer

It is a cruel and inhumane punishment.

Answer

It is ineffective as a deterrent to crime.

Answer

It violates the right to a fair trial.

Question 16

In which case did the European Court of Human Rights rule that a blanket ban on abortion violated the right to privacy?

Accepted Answer

A, B, and C v. Ireland

Answer

Soering v. United Kingdom

Answer

Pretty v. United Kingdom

Answer

Evans v. United Kingdom

Question 17

Which of the following factors is NOT taken into account by the Human Rights Committee when assessing the legality of deprivation of life?

Accepted Answer

The political affiliation of the victim

Answer

The severity of the offense

Answer

The manner in which the deprivation was carried out

Answer

The existence of a fair trial

Question 18

What is the commonly accepted definition of 'arbitrary deprivation of life' within the context of international human rights law?

Accepted Answer

Killings carried out by state authorities without due process of law

Answer

Killings carried out by private individuals for personal reasons

Answer

Killings carried out during wartime

Answer

Killings carried out for religious or cultural reasons

Question 19

What is the primary function of the Human Rights Committee in relation to the right to life?

Accepted Answer

It reviews state reports and conducts inquiries to monitor implementation.

Answer

It provides legal advice to states on how to uphold the right to life.

Answer

It imposes sanctions on states that violate the right to life.

Answer

It has no role in monitoring the right to life.

Question 20

What is the primary purpose of the principle of proportionality in the context of the right to life?

Accepted Answer

To ensure that any restrictions on the right to life are necessary and proportionate to the legitimate aim pursued.

Answer

To establish a clear hierarchy of fundamental rights.

Answer

To punish individuals who violate the right to life.

Question 21

What is the fundamental ethical argument against capital punishment?

Accepted Answer

It is considered a violation of the inherent dignity and value of all human life.

Answer

It is disproportionate to the crimes for which it is imposed.

Answer

It is ineffective in deterring crime.

Question 22

Which of the following is a common ethical argument against the legalization of abortion?

Accepted Answer

It raises concerns about the moral status and rights of the unborn child.

Answer

It undermines the traditional family structure.

Answer

It is considered a form of violence against women.

Answer

It can lead to an increase in unintended pregnancies.