Across languages, cultures and communities, human rights belong to every one of us. United for Human Rights promotes understanding of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights through education.
ABOUT US
Find teaching resources and ideas for human rights education.
EDUCATOR KIT
Discover the history behind human rights and explore the Universal Declaration in an introductory booklet.
FREE BOOKLETALL HUMAN BEINGS ARE BORN FREE AND EQUAL IN DIGNITY AND RIGHTS.
This Swiss resource brings that learning closer to home, in English, French, German and Italian. Start a conversation in your classroom, at work or in your community.
International programmeA SWISS HOME FOR HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION
This branch connects people in Switzerland with the international United for Human Rights educational programme while creating a clear local point of reference for schools, civil society and communities.
For educators
Use accessible materials, films and lesson resources to introduce the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in classrooms and learning settings.
For organizations
Share the programme’s educational tools in community activities, events and partnerships while keeping the materials intact and properly credited.
For individuals
Learn the 30 rights, share them with others and use the free course and films as a starting point for informed conversations.
Contact in Switzerland
Emailinfo@connaissezvosdroits.ch
Phone+41789430668
30 articles. One humanity.
Explore the Universal Declaration of Human Rights article by article. Each card gives a short plain-language summary; use the button below for the complete official text.
Equality and dignity
All people are born free and equal in dignity and rights, and should treat one another with respect and solidarity.
No discrimination
Everyone has the same rights without discrimination based on race, sex, language, religion, origin, status or any other condition.
Life, liberty and security
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and personal security.
No slavery
No one may be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade are prohibited in every form.
No torture
No one may be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Recognition before the law
Everyone has the right to be recognized everywhere as a person before the law.
Equality before the law
Everyone is equal before the law and entitled to equal protection without discrimination.
Effective remedy
Everyone has the right to an effective remedy when fundamental rights protected by law are violated.
No arbitrary detention
No one may be arbitrarily arrested, detained or exiled.
Fair and public hearing
Everyone is entitled to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal.
Presumption of innocence
Anyone accused of a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a fair trial, and cannot be punished under retroactive criminal laws.
Privacy, family and reputation
No one should face arbitrary interference with privacy, family, home or correspondence, or unlawful attacks on honour and reputation.
Freedom of movement
Everyone may move freely within a country, leave any country, and return to their own country.
Right to seek asylum
People facing persecution have the right to seek and enjoy asylum in other countries, subject to the Declaration’s stated limits.
Right to a nationality
Everyone has the right to a nationality and may not be arbitrarily deprived of it or denied the right to change it.
Marriage and family
Adults have the right to marry and found a family with free and full consent, and with equal rights during marriage and at its dissolution.
Right to property
Everyone may own property alone or with others and may not be arbitrarily deprived of it.
Thought, conscience and religion
Everyone has freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including the freedom to change belief and to manifest it privately or publicly.
Opinion and expression
Everyone has freedom of opinion and expression, including the right to seek, receive and share information and ideas across borders.
Peaceful assembly and association
Everyone has the right to peaceful assembly and association, and no one may be compelled to belong to an association.
Participation in government
Everyone may take part in government, directly or through freely chosen representatives, and has equal access to public service.
Social security
Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and to the economic, social and cultural rights essential to dignity.
Work and fair pay
Everyone has the right to work, choose employment, receive fair pay, enjoy just conditions and form or join trade unions.
Rest and leisure
Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limits on working hours and periodic paid holidays.
Adequate standard of living
Everyone has the right to an adequate standard of living, health and social protection; motherhood and childhood deserve special care.
Right to education
Everyone has the right to education. Elementary education should be free and compulsory, and education should develop the human personality and respect for rights.
Culture, science and authorship
Everyone may participate in cultural life, enjoy the arts, share in scientific progress, and protect the moral and material interests of their creations.
A rights-supporting social order
Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms in this Declaration can be fully realized.
Duties to the community
Everyone has duties to the community. Rights may be limited only by law to respect others’ rights and meet legitimate democratic public needs.
No destruction of rights
Nothing in the Declaration may be used to justify destroying any of the rights and freedoms it protects.
WATCH THE PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS
Thirty short films illustrate the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights through everyday situations.
Select a human right to watch its film.
1Born free and equal2No discrimination3Right to life4No slavery5No torture6Rights everywhere7Equal before the law8Protected by law9No unfair detention10Right to trial11Presumed innocent12Privacy13Freedom to move14Asylum15Nationality16Marriage and family17Ownership18Freedom of thought19Freedom of expression20Public assembly21Democracy22Social security23Workers’ rights24Rest and leisure25Food and shelter26Education27Copyright28A fair and free world29Responsibility30Rights cannot be taken away
Learning that travels beyond the classroom.
Bring rights into the classroom
A starting point for curious minds, teachers and communities. Find teaching resources and ideas for human rights education.
Explore teaching materialsSee human rights in everyday life
Discover films that make the meaning of human rights easier to understand.
Explore the videosKnowledge becomes change
when we share it.
Start with one conversation. Share a resource, introduce human rights in a lesson or connect with the international United for Human Rights network.
Connect with the international teamNews & activities
Recent human rights education activities, articles and perspectives from Switzerland.
Human Rights and the Eurovision 2026 Boycott: What the UDHR Says
The Eurovision 2026 boycott debate illustrates tensions between collective political decisions, access to information and participation in cultural life.
Child Protection: When Warning Signs Are Ignored
The death of 11-year-old Lyhanna in France raises difficult questions about child safety, warning signs and the duty of institutions to protect.
Education: Private Life and Public Life After Death
The death of Bernadette Chirac offers a case study in the balance between family privacy, public life and social engagement.