Magna Carta means ‘The great charter’ is one of the most famous documents in the world. This charter was originally issued by King John of England as a logical solution to the political crisis he faced in 1215. Magna Carta created for the first time forming a principle for everybody even the king was subject to the law. Although nearly seventy percent was deleted or rewritten within ten years of its original form and most of the clauses have been changed in modern times, Magna Carta remains a keystone of the British constitution.

Magna Carta is much more than a peace treaty between a King and his barons sealed in a meadow on the banks of Thames on June 19 1215. This lasts an iconic value as the foundation of many world democracies lies in the power of an idea, which states that nobody including the king is above the law of land.

Magna Carta contained 63 clauses when it was first established; only three of those clauses remain part of English law. First clause defends the liberties and rights of English Church; second confirms the liberties and customs of London and other towns, and the third is the most famous, it says, No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, or stripped of his rights or possessions, or outlawed or exiled, or deprived of his standing in any other way, nor will we proceed with force against him, or send others to do so, except by the lawful judgment of his equals or by the law of the land. To no one will we sell, to no one deny or delay right or justice.

This charter became part of British political life and renewed by each monarch during his or her reign. As time went by and British Parliament passed new laws, Magna Carta lost some of its practical importance. By the end of 16th century, there was the advancement in interest in Magna Carta. Historian and Law Parishioners believed that it was an ancient British constitution back in Anglo-Saxon, which protected individual English freedoms. They argued that by making this charter a core foundation for the modern powers of Parliament and legal principles like Habeas corpus, this was actually overthrown the rights when Normans invaded in 1066 and Magna Carta had been a popular attempt to restore them.

The 800th anniversary of Magna Carta is an occasion to deepen the understanding of challenging role it has played in the development of democracy, liberty and human rights. 2015 is the year to celebrate the individual rights people enjoy today and an opportunity to strengthen human rights around the globe.