Throughout global history, various groups have been persecuted due to ethnic background, gender, religious preference, or political affiliation. The methods of persecution have ranged from the restricting of social and political rights, to even death.  
The world has often turned a blind eye to human rights violations.  This began to change after the Holocaust of the 20th century when the newly formed United Nations published its Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This document states that all people are free and equal regardless of "race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status."  Since this time, efforts have been made to end human rights abuses around the world.

This site is designed to aid students in reviewing the concept of Human Rights and ways in which they have been abused throughout history in preparation for the New York State Regents Exam in Global History and Geography. In addition, students may test their knowledge of the material presented here by accessing multiple-choice questions from past Regents Exams.