Human Rights 101
When people talk about human rights, what do they really mean? The language of human rights seems to be everywhere, but it’s not always clear what lies behind it. The website for Human Rights Watch includes a lot of material on laws and procedures that may not be familiar to everyone. In these short videos, the staff of Human Rights Watch tries to explain the basics.
What are human rights?
Ken Roth, Executive DirectorNew York
How are human rights different from civil rights?
Faraz Sanei, Iran ResearcherNew York
Does international law protect human rights?
Carroll Bogert, former Deputy Executive Director, External RelationsNew York
Is there progress on human rights?
Anneke Van Woudenberg, former Deputy Director, Africa DivisionLondon
Do human rights reduce poverty?
Maria Laura Canineu, Brazil DirectorSão Paulo, Brazil
Mausi Segun, Nigeria Researcher
Abuja, Nigeria
How do you know if something is a human rights violation?
Ken Roth, Executive DirectorNew York
Why are some people's rights more protected than others?
Carroll Bogert, Deputy Executive Director, External RelationsNew York
Who has to uphold human rights?
Babatunde Olugboji, Deputy Program DirectorNew York
Do human rights express Western cultural values?
Ken Roth, Executive DirectorNew York
Do human rights express Western cultural values?
Faraz Sanei, Iran ResearcherNew York
Are some rights more important than others?
Elaine Pearson, Australia DirectorSydney, Australia
Mausi Segun, Nigeria Researcher
Abuja, Nigeria
How do human rights evolve?
Boris Dittrich, Advocacy Director, LGBT Rights ProgramBerlin, Germany
What about human rights during wartime?
Anneke Van Woudenberg, Deputy Director, Africa DivisionLondon
What is civil society and why is it so important for protecting human rights?
Maria Burnett, Senior Researcher, Africa DivisionWashington D.C.