The Story of Human Rights Documentary

Summary

This video script delves into the concept of human rights, highlighting their universality and history. It traces the evolution from the Cyrus Cylinder to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, emphasizing the struggle for their recognition and the ongoing fight for their realization. Despite being enshrined in international law, the script raises critical questions about the current state of human rights, urging individuals to actively participate in upholding these fundamental freedoms and dignities.

Takeaways

• 📜 The concept of human rights is the rights one has simply by being human, including the right to live freely, speak one's mind, and be treated equally.
• 🌐 Human rights are universal, applying to everyone regardless of age, wealth, profession, race, religion, or nationality.
• 📝 The Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations lists 30 fundamental rights that are considered to be the standard for human rights globally.
• 🏺 The idea of human rights can be traced back to Cyrus the Great, who after conquering Babylon, declared freedom for slaves and freedom of religion, marking an early form of human rights.
• 📜 The concept of 'natural law' was recognized in ancient times as laws people naturally followed, which later evolved into the idea of 'natural rights' during the Roman era.
• 👑 The acknowledgment of human rights as inviolable even by a king was a significant development in England, setting a precedent for the protection of rights from those in power.
• 🏛 The American and French Revolutions were pivotal in advancing the idea of human rights, with the American Declaration of Independence emphasizing that 'all men are created equal'.
• 🌍 The struggle for human rights was not limited to the West, as exemplified by Mahatma Gandhi's fight for rights for all people, not just in Europe.
• 🤝 The formation of the United Nations was a collective effort to reaffirm faith in human rights, aiming to prevent the atrocities seen during the world wars.
• 📋 Despite the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the document initially lacked legal force and was optional, leading to continued human rights violations worldwide.
• 💪 The realization of human rights is an ongoing struggle that requires the active participation of individuals, not just adherence to documents and laws, as emphasized by figures like Dr. King and Nelson Mandela.

Q & A

What are human rights and why are they important?

Human rights are the fundamental rights that every person has simply because they are human. They are important because they establish the basic standards for how individuals should be treated, including the right to live freely, speak one's mind, and be treated as an equal.

Who is Mr. Larkin and what event is being promoted in the script?

The script does not provide specific details about Mr. Larkin or the event being promoted. It is likely a figure or event related to the discussion of human rights, but without further context, the exact identity or nature of the event remains unclear.

What is the significance of the Cyrus Cylinder in the history of human rights?

The Cyrus Cylinder is significant because it is one of the earliest known documents that declared the freedom of slaves and the freedom of religion. It is considered a precursor to the concept of human rights, marking the beginning of the idea that certain rights should be universally recognized.

How did the concept of 'natural law' evolve into the modern understanding of human rights?

The concept of 'natural law' evolved into human rights as societies recognized that people naturally followed certain laws and principles, even without being commanded to do so. Over time, these principles were codified and expanded upon, eventually leading to the formalization of human rights in documents like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

What is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and why was it created?

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a document adopted by the United Nations that outlines 30 fundamental human rights applicable to all people everywhere. It was created in response to the atrocities of World War II and the recognition of the need for a global standard to uphold the dignity and worth of every human being.

Why did the French Revolution emphasize the concept of 'natural rights'?

The French Revolution emphasized 'natural rights' as a reaction against the absolute monarchy and to assert that rights are inherent and not granted by any government or ruler. This concept was a key part of the revolutionary ideology that sought to establish a society based on liberty, equality, and fraternity.

How did Mahatma Gandhi contribute to the global recognition of human rights?

Mahatma Gandhi contributed to the global recognition of human rights through his non-violent resistance against British colonial rule in India. His philosophy and actions helped to promote the idea that human rights should apply to all people, regardless of their nationality or location.

What challenges remain in the realization of human rights as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?

Despite the existence of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, challenges remain in its full realization. Issues such as ongoing poverty, discrimination, lack of access to education, and the persistence of slavery demonstrate that human rights are still not universally respected or enforced.

What role do individuals play in making the words of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights a reality?

Individuals play a crucial role in making human rights a reality by actively promoting and upholding these rights in their daily lives. This includes advocating for equality, justice, and dignity for all, and refusing to be silent in the face of violations.

How did the script relate the concept of human rights to the actions of historical figures like Dr. King and Nelson Mandela?

The script related the concept of human rights to the actions of historical figures like Dr. King and Nelson Mandela by highlighting their struggles for racial equality and social justice. It emphasized that their fights were for rights that had already been recognized by international bodies but were not yet fully realized in practice.

What does Eleanor Roosevelt's quote about human rights beginning in 'small places' imply about the importance of local action?

Eleanor Roosevelt's quote implies that the realization of human rights starts at the local level, in the communities where individuals live, work, and learn. It suggests that change begins with individual actions and the collective efforts of people in their immediate surroundings.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 The Evolution of Human Rights

This paragraph delves into the concept of human rights, starting with the difficulty of defining them and moving through history to highlight key moments in their evolution. It emphasizes the universality of human rights, applicable to everyone regardless of status or background. The paragraph mentions the 30 rights outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and traces their origins back to Cyrus the Great's declaration of freedom for slaves and religious tolerance. It also touches on the development of the idea of natural law in Rome, the recognition of rights in England, the American and French revolutions, and the struggle for rights in the face of figures like Napoleon. The summary concludes with the dire situation of human rights during the world wars and the Holocaust, setting the stage for the establishment of the United Nations.

05:00

🌏 The Struggle for Universal Human Rights

The second paragraph focuses on the formation of the United Nations and the creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which aimed to reaffirm the fundamental human rights for all. It discusses the challenges of defining these rights and the historical perspectives that contributed to the current understanding. The paragraph highlights the struggle for rights, mentioning the ongoing issues such as child mortality, freedom of speech, education, and modern slavery despite the existence of human rights declarations. It calls for action, emphasizing that human rights are not just theoretical concepts but a responsibility that each individual must uphold in their daily lives. The summary ends with a powerful quote from Eleanor Roosevelt, stressing the importance of human rights beginning in the smallest of places, affecting the individual person and their immediate surroundings.

Keywords

💡Human Rights

Human Rights are the fundamental rights that every individual possesses simply by being human. They are the basis for how people expect and deserve to be treated, encompassing the right to live freely, express oneself, and be treated equally. In the video, human rights are presented as universal, applying to everyone regardless of age, social status, or background. The script emphasizes their importance by highlighting their absence in situations of injustice and inequality.

💡Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. It outlines a total of 30 rights that are considered fundamental to all human beings. The script refers to the UDHR as the world's most widely accepted document on human rights, symbolizing the global consensus on the basic rights that everyone should enjoy.

💡Natural Law

Natural Law refers to the concept of rights and ethical principles that are inherent and can be understood universally through human reason. In the script, it is mentioned that people in ancient Rome recognized natural laws, which were followed even without being explicitly commanded. This concept later evolved into the idea of natural rights, which played a significant role in the development of human rights as we understand them today.

💡Cyrus the Great

Cyrus the Great was an ancient Persian king known for his decree following the conquest of Babylon, which is considered one of the first declarations of human rights. As mentioned in the script, he freed slaves and allowed people the freedom to choose their religion. His actions are celebrated as the birth of human rights, with his words documented on the Cyrus Cylinder.

💡Natural Rights

Natural Rights are rights that are believed to be inherent by virtue of human nature and remain valid regardless of human laws. The script explains that the concept of natural law from Rome evolved into the idea of natural rights during the Enlightenment period. These rights were considered universal and inalienable, influencing the development of modern human rights.

💡Revolution

The term 'Revolution' in the script refers to major socio-political upheavals that led to significant changes in the recognition and establishment of human rights. Examples given include the American Revolution, which led to the declaration that 'all men are created equal,' and the French Revolution, which resulted in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.

💡Napoleon

Napoleon Bonaparte is mentioned in the script as a general who overthrew the new French democracy and crowned himself emperor. His actions are presented as an example of how the progress towards recognizing human rights can be challenged by those seeking power, highlighting the ongoing struggle for the establishment and protection of these rights.

💡Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi is highlighted in the script as a key figure in the fight for human rights, particularly in the context of advocating for rights not just in Europe but for all people of Earth. His philosophy of nonviolent resistance against British colonial rule in India played a significant role in the global recognition of human rights.

💡United Nations

The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded after World War II to promote peace, security, and cooperation among nations. The script mentions the UN's formation as a response to the atrocities of war and the need for a global commitment to human rights, with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights being a key outcome of this commitment.

💡Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of the former U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, is noted in the script for her instrumental role in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Her leadership and advocacy were crucial in shaping the document that would define human rights on a global scale.

💡Discrimination

Discrimination is the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, sex, or disability. The script discusses the ongoing struggle against discrimination, referencing figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela, who fought for racial equality and social justice.

💡Social Justice

Social Justice refers to the concept of creating a society where everyone has equal rights and opportunities, free from discrimination and injustice. In the script, social justice is connected to the broader theme of human rights, with individuals like Nelson Mandela standing up for it as part of the ongoing fight for a more equitable world.

Highlights

Human rights are the rights one has simply because they are human, including the right to live freely, speak one's mind, and be treated equally.

Human rights are universal, applying to everyone regardless of age, wealth, profession, or nationality.

The concept of human rights can be traced back to Cyrus the Great, who freed slaves and allowed freedom of religion after conquering Babylon.

The idea of human rights spread from the Cyrus Cylinder to Greece, India, and Rome, influencing the concept of natural law.

In England, it took a significant amount of time for the recognition that no one, not even a king, could overrule people's rights.

The American Revolution and the French Revolution were pivotal moments in the recognition of natural rights and their codification.

Napoleon's rise to power threatened the progress of human rights, as he overthrew the French democracy and sought to rule as emperor.

Mahatma Gandhi played a crucial role in advocating for the rights of all people, not just those in Europe.

Two world wars and the atrocities committed by Hitler nearly led to the extinction of human rights, highlighting the need for global change.

The United Nations was formed to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights and the dignity of the human person.

Eleanor Roosevelt led the effort to agree on a set of human rights that would apply universally, resulting in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Despite the establishment of human rights, issues such as child mortality, freedom of speech violations, and illiteracy persist.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was not legally binding, making it optional and leaving much to be desired in terms of enforcement.

Human rights are not just historical lessons or words on paper; they are the choices and responsibilities we make daily as human beings.

Eleanor Roosevelt emphasized that human rights begin in small places, such as the individual's neighborhood, school, or workplace.

The realization of human rights depends on the collective efforts of individuals to respect, help, and protect each other.

The fight for human rights continues today, with people advocating for equality, justice, and an end to discrimination and torture.

Transcripts

[Music]

human rights it gee that's a good

question right

Wow okay I don't even know how to give

that a definition I would probably have

to do a little bit of homework or

something any write that I think any

just as a normal you know human rights

day humans have large debate mr. Larkin

tonight's a good Abraham promote our

event a persona need my bank apparently

open on Saturday and then we figure this

yeah okay yeah we just taken for granted

there but we don't even consider what

they are

[Music]

human rights are the rights you have

simply because you're human it's how you

instinctively expect and deserve to be

treated as a person like the right to

live freely to speak your mind and to be

treated as an equal there are many kinds

of rights most apply to a certain group

but human rights are the only ones that

apply to absolutely everyone everywhere

that means kids old people poor people

basketball players garbageman rappers

teachers Africans Indians Albanians

Christians Muslims caballes atheist your

mom your dad your next-door neighbor and

you all have the exact same human rights

in other words they're universal but the

question remains what are they named

human the human rights what the human

rights are the right to live equality

between all peoples right to religion

their right to there supposed to be a

list somewhere I should be aware of

according to the United Nations there

are a total of 30 Human Rights which are

usually lumped together and called

simply Human Rights they're all listed

out in the Universal Declaration of

Human Rights which is the world's most

widely accepted document on the subject

but it was a long time in coming at

first there were no human rights if you

were in with the right crowd you were

safe if you weren't you weren't but then

a guy named Cyrus the Great decided to

change all that after conquering babylon

he did something completely

revolutionary he announced that all

slaves were free to go

he also said people had the freedom to

choose their religion no matter what

crowd they were a part of he documented

his words on a clay tablet

as the cyrus cylinder and just like that

human rights were born the idea spread

quickly to Greece to India and

eventually to Rome they notice that

people naturally followed certain laws

even if they weren't told to they call

this natural law but it kept getting

trampled on by those in power not until

a thousand years later in England they

finally get a king to agree that no one

can overrule the rights to people not

even a king people's rights were finally

recognized and they were now safe from

those in power kind of it still took a

bunch of British rebels declaring their

independence before the king at the

point that all men are created equal

which isn't to say he liked the idea but

he couldn't stop them and America was

born

the French immediately followed with

their own revolution for their own

rights their list was even longer and

they insisted that these rights were

just made up they were natural the Roman

concept of natural law had become

natural rights unfortunately not

everyone was so thrilled in France a

general named Napoleon decided to

overthrow the new French democracy and

crown himself emperor of the world he

almost succeeded but the countries of

Europe joined forces and defeated him

human rights was again a hot topic they

drew up international agreements broadly

granting many rights across Europe but

only across Europe the rest of the world

somehow still didn't qualify instead

they got invaded conquered and consumed

by Europe's massive empires but then a

young lawyer from India decided enough

was enough

his name was Mahatma Gandhi and in the

face of violence he insisted that all

people of Earth had rights not just in

Europe eventually even Europeans started

to agree but it wasn't going to be that

easy two world wars erupted Hitler

exterminated half the Jewish population

of Earth's in horrifying Nazi death

camps it all told 90 million people died

never had human rights been so

terrifyingly close to extinction and

never the world been more desperate for

change so the countries of Earth banded

together and formed the United Nations

their basic purpose was to reaffirm

faith in fundamental human rights in the

dignity and worth of the human person

but what were human rights were they the

proclamations of Cyrus the natural laws

of Rome the declarations of France

everyone seemed to have a slightly

different idea of what human rights

should be but under the supervision of

Eleanor Roosevelt they finally agreed on

a set of Rights that apply to absolutely

the Universal Declaration of Human

Rights the French concept of natural

rights have finally become human rights

so in summary at first only a few lucky

people had any rights until one of those

guys decided hey other people should

have some rights too

which was great except not everyone

agreed and it only took a few thousand

years of fighting and declarations and

more fighting until everyone finally

agreed that human rights should apply to

everyone and they all lived happily ever

after except for one little problem if

people have the right to food and

shelter

why are 16,000 children dying of

starvation every day one every five

seconds if people have freedom of speech

why are thousands in prison for speaking

their minds

if people have the right to education

why are over a billion adults unable to

read if slavery has truly been abolished

why are 27 million people still enslaved

today more than twice as many as in 1800

the fact is when it was signed the

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

did not have the force of law it was

optional and despite many more documents

conventions treaties and laws it's still

a little more than words on a page

so the question is who will make those

words a reality when dr. King marched

for racial equality he was marching for

rights that had been guaranteed by the

United Nations for almost two decades

but still she marched when Nelson

Mandela stood up for social justice in

the 1990s his country had already agreed

to abolish such discrimination for

almost 40 years but still he fought

those who fight today against torture

poverty and discrimination are not

Giants or superheroes they're people

kids mothers fathers teachers free

thinking individuals who refuse to be

silent who realize that human rights are

not a history lesson they're not words

on a page they're not speeches or

commercials or PR campaigns they are the

choices we make every day as human

beings they are the responsibility we

all share to respect each other to help

each other and to protect those in need

as Eleanor Roosevelt said we're after

all do universal human rights begin in

small places close town so close is so

small they cannot be seen on any maps of

the world yet they are the world of the

individual person the neighborhood he

lives in the school or college he

attends the factory farm or office where

he works

such are the places where every man

woman and child seeks equal justice

equal opportunity equal dignity without

discrimination unless these rights have

meaning there they have little meaning

anywhere

[Applause]

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]