Civil rights generally refers to the law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, or religion. Discrimination occurs when a person’s rights are denied or interfered with on the basis of their membership in such a particular group or class.

Civil rights are distinct from civil liberties, such as the right to vote, freedom of speech, and other rights in the Bill of Rights (first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution).

Civil rights law includes the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, and Twenty-Fourth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution—and federal statutes such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Civil Rights Act of 1968.

In New Hampshire (NH), civil rights are protected under both federal and state laws. Federal laws such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Civil Rights Act of 1968 prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. These laws apply to various areas including employment, education, housing, and access to public accommodations. The Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery, the Fourteenth Amendment guarantees equal protection under the law, the Fifteenth Amendment prohibits racial discrimination in voting, and the Twenty-Fourth Amendment eliminates poll taxes. Additionally, New Hampshire has its own set of statutes that complement federal laws, such as the New Hampshire Law Against Discrimination (RSA 354-A), which prohibits discrimination in employment, public accommodations, housing, education, and credit on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, marital status, familial status, physical or mental disability, or national origin. The New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights is the state agency responsible for enforcing these civil rights laws. It's important for individuals in NH to understand that while civil liberties are rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights, civil rights focus on the right to be free from discrimination as outlined by both federal amendments and statutes, as well as state laws.