**Equal rights are human rights – these should be at the heart of lawmaking** • Laws are the framework of our society; they are rules made to regulate social behaviour in a way that benefits the greatest number of people. The word ‘law’ comes from Old Norse and literally translates to [‘that which is fixed or set’](https://www.etymonline.com/word/law): the rigidity of law is implied in its name. When governments make laws, they should ensure that they are applied fairly and consistently to everyone, in order to be beneficial to society. • Equality and justice are [human rights](https://www.humanrights.is/en/human-rights-education-project/human-rights-concepts-ideas-and-fora/substantive-human-rights/the-right-to-equality-and-non-discrimination). For law and governance to function successfully, it is essential that it is fair and accessible, and does not [discriminate](https://www.un.org/ruleoflaw/files/training9chapter13en.pdf) against anyone, especially those who are already marginalised. • Unfortunately, there are many laws that are directly or indirectly biased against certain groups of people. In Lebanon, if a man marries a woman after raping or kidnapping her, he [cannot be prosecuted](https://www.one.org/us/blog/these-10-anti-women-laws-will-shock-you/). 46 countries have no laws against domestic violence. The sociologist Jeffrey H Reiman argues that all laws are created [in the interest of those in power](https://www.sociologystuff.com/download/49c49b68-5097-11e9-a6f2-bfea9af49687/) (who make the laws), and that these are often biased against poorer people. He states that “the more likely a crime is to be committed by higher class people, the less likely it is to be treated as a criminal offence”. • The judicial system itself does not treat people fairly. In the UK, black people are [44% more likely](https://ukhumanrightsblog.com/2020/06/18/racism-and-the-rule-of-law/) than white to serve prison time for driving offences. Trials and sentences are often harsher for people of colour and [working-class people](https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/and-poor-get-prison-economic-bias-american-criminal-justice) than for white people and middle-high class people.