People who fought for human rights

Abraham Lincoln (1809 – 1865) President of US during civil war. During the civil war made a proclamation of emancipation for slaves, helping to end the institution of slavery in the US.

Nelson Mandela (1918 - ) Anti-apartheid leader. First President of democratic South Africa in 1994. Spent over twenty years in jail for his opposition to the apartheid system which excluded blacks from 

Martin Luther King (1929 - 1968) Non-violent civil rights leader. Inspired American civil rights movement achieve the momentous changes of the 1960s.

Mikhail Gorbachev (1931 - ) Leader of Soviet Union. Oversaw transition from Communism in Eastern Europe. Sought to protect religious freedoms and improve the human rights record of Soviet Union and Eastern Europe.

William Wilberforce (1759 – 1833) - Campaigned against slavery, helping to outlaw slavery in Great Britain.

George Orwell (1903 – 1950) - If the pain is mightier than the sword, Orwell helped to promote a belief in human rights as being far greater than any ideology.

Mahatma Gandhi (1869 - 1948) - Indian nationalist and politician. Struggled for Indian self-determination and independence.

Aung San Suu Kyi (1945 - ) Burmese opposition leader. Awarded nobel peace prize for opposition to military rule. 

Rosa Parks (1913-2005) - Civil Rights activist. Started the Montgomery bus boycott through her refusal to give up her seat to a white person.

14th Dalai Lama. Leader of Tibetans in exile. Sought to hold Chinese to account.

Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797) - Early feminist author who helped to propagate belief in equal rights for women.

Emily Pankhurst (1858-1928) - Suffragette who led campaigns of civil disobedience against a male dominated political system. Pankhurst was sent to jail on several occasions for her activities.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer - Christian activist who opposed Nazi regime in Germany.

Tom Paine - Free thinking radical who passionately argued for greater democracy and representation for ordinary people.

Thomas Jefferson (1743- 1826) 3rd President of US. Principle author of Declaration of Independence