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Why are there still some human rights abuses today?

Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can explain what human rights are, examine what happens when these rights are abused and identify who is responsible for protecting them.

Key learning points

  1. There are several important documents which set out our human rights, including the UDHR, ECHR & the Human Rights Act.
  2. All public authorities, such as the Government, the NHS, schools and the police, must follow the Human Rights Act.
  3. Human rights is a global issue, with some countries still abusing rights today.
  4. Protecting human rights is a global responsibility, addressed by the organisations such as the UN and NGOs.

Keywords

  • Human rights - basic rights and freedoms that all people are entitled to

  • United Nations (UN) - an international organisation comprising of most countries in the world which aims to promote peace, security and international cooperation

  • Non-governmental organisations - a non-profit, voluntary group of citizens who work on a local, national or international level to achieve an aim; they are not controlled by the Government, but will often work closely with them

Common misconception

You can take legal action if your human rights are abused by anyone.

You cannot take legal action for violations by private individuals, like a friend. You can only take action against a public authority if they’ve breached your human rights.

Teacher tip

Encourage pupils to think about human rights in both local and global contexts. Ask them to give examples of rights they feel are well protected and those they think are still at risk, helping them make connections to the real world.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the word to its correct definition.

Correct Answer:fracking,drilling into the Earth to extract oil and gas by injecting fluids

drilling into the Earth to extract oil and gas by injecting fluids

Correct Answer:global warming,the gradual increase in Earth's temperature caused by human activities

the gradual increase in Earth's temperature caused by human activities

Correct Answer:renewable energy,energy that comes from natural sources like the Sun, wind and water

energy that comes from natural sources like the Sun, wind and water

Q2.
One significant consequence of global warming is rising sea levels, which threaten and can lead to flooding.

Correct Answer: coastal areas, coasts, the coast

Q3.
Which of the following is not a main contributor to global warming?

Correct answer: recycling plastic
deforestation
Correct answer: planting trees
burning fossil fuels

Q4.
What did the UK Government ban in 2019 due to environmental concerns?

Correct answer: fracking
coal mining
wind farms
new airport runways

Q5.
Active citizens have used a variety of methods, including protests and social media, to raise awareness about the of climate change and global warming.

Correct Answer: impacts, effects

Q6.
Which of the following is a consequence of climate change?

decreased global temperatures
Correct answer: more frequent and severe weather events
increased forest growth
less pollution from fossil fuels

6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following is true about the protection of human rights?

It is only the responsibility of governments to protect human rights.
Correct answer: Human rights protection is a global issue that is addressed by the UN and NGOs.
Only large corporations are responsible for upholding human rights.
Human rights can be violated without any legal consequences.

Q2.
Match the word to its correct definition.

Correct Answer:human rights,basic rights and freedoms that all people are entitled to

basic rights and freedoms that all people are entitled to

Correct Answer:United Nations (UN),global organisation made up of most countries; it promotes peace

global organisation made up of most countries; it promotes peace

Correct Answer:non-governmental organisations (NGOs),a voluntary, non-profit group that works to achieve a specific goal

a voluntary, non-profit group that works to achieve a specific goal

Q3.
Which of the following is a common misconception about human rights?

human rights are a global responsibility
all public authorities must follow the Human Rights Act
Correct answer: you can take legal action for human rights violations by private individuals
the United Nations works to promote peace and protect human rights

Q4.
Some countries still human rights today, meaning that people in those countries might not have the same freedoms or protections as others.

Correct Answer: abuse

Q5.
The Human Rights Act (1998) requires that all , like the NHS, police, schools and the Government uphold the rights of individuals.

Correct Answer: public authorities, public authority

Q6.
Which document sets out a common standard for the protection of human rights worldwide?

Correct answer: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
The Human Rights Act
The Constitution of the United Kingdom
The European Union (EU) Charter

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