Seven short videos to introduce human rights in education

By Bashayer Aljaber, Amnesty Speaker Programme Volunteer

Short films and videos can be useful conversation starters for teachers, educators, facilitators or anyone wishing to learn more about human rights.

'Human rights education is key to addressing the underlying causes of injustice around the world. The more people know about their rights, and the rights of others in society, the better equipped they are to protect them.'
Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International

There may be content that is unsuitable for some audiences, therefore we recommend you watch each clip in full to check that its suitable before you use it in an educational setting.

1. United Nations: Eleanor Roosevelt’s speech on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Eleanor Roosevelt’s speech marked the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, which was later adopted by the assembly on the 10th of December 1948.

2. TED: What are human rights?

Benedetta Berti takes us through the history of the Universal Declaration of Human Rrights and the European Court of Human Rights.

3. Amnesty International: Understand human rights and defend them

To know how to defend your rights, it is important to understand them. This is a brief introduction to your rights from Amnesty Switzerland.

4. Rights Info: A two-minute introduction to human rights

What are human rights? This two-minute animation is a great introduction. There's more similar resources on RightsInfo.org.

5. UK Equality and Human Rights Commission: Your human rights

The Equality and Human Rights Commission is Great Britain’s national equality body. It's an independent public body set up by the government, to work for a fairer and equal Britain. This short animation looks at the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

6. Amnesty International: The story of Waleed Abu Al-Khair

This short film gives an insight into one lawyer's life - showing the impact of living in a rights-denying environment, and the costs to freedom of standing up for rights. Waleed is a human rights lawyer and peaceful activist who lives in Saudi Arabia, currently imprisoned for his work. We have campaigned for his freedom.

7. Amnesty International:  Everybody

Looking at the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, featuring actors Julian Rhind-Tutt, Emilia Fox, Jeremy Irons, Lindsay Duncan, Navin Chowdhry, Amanda Mealing, Jason Flemyng and George Lamb.