Oxford Human Rights Festival returns for its 24th year with the theme “Breaking Free”

A week of free public events will take place across Oxford this month, including at Oxford Brookes University, as the Oxford Human Rights Festival returns for its 24th year.

The annual festival invites participants to reflect on global struggles for justice, dignity and human rights. It brings together local, national and international artists, scholars, activists and community members in a week of events designed to provoke thought and deepen understanding of inequality and oppression.

Founded in 2003 by the Centre for Emergency and Development Practice (CENDEP) at Oxford Brookes in collaboration with the University’s School of Architecture, the festival will showcase diverse stories of resistance, resilience and solidarity from around the world. 

Professor Helen Laville, Vice-Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University, will introduce the opening event, the Nabeel Hamdi Lecture, on Friday 13 March at 5.30pm. The lecture will be given by architect Peter Clegg OBE who will talk about socially responsible design and community-focussed architectural practice. 

All events are free and open to the public, with many taking place both on the Oxford Brookes University campus and at venues throughout the city of Oxford. 

Syafiq Bin Sanusi, Festival Co-ordinator, based at Oxford Brookes, said: “In a world where barriers to justice take many forms, whether social, political or cultural, the theme ‘Breaking Free’ invites us to consider not only what holds us back, but how collective creativity and courage can open new paths forward. This festival is a space for exploration, challenge and connection, and we look forward to welcoming voices from across Oxford and beyond to join these vital conversations.”

For the full programme and how to book places visit the Oxford Human Rights Festival website. 

Highlights include: 

Cultural events:

Palestinian Tatreez Workshop

A hands-on experience celebrating Tatreez, the traditional Palestinian embroidery that intertwines cultural heritage, identity and resilience.

Palestinian Poetry and Dabke

A cultural celebration combining spoken word, short films and Dabke, the energetic collective Palestinian dance — a lively expression of identity and unity.

Intergenerational Freedom Exhibition

An art exhibition reflecting views on freedom across generations, blending creative expression with human rights themes.

Film screenings and discussions:

‘Dancing with the Devil’ — documentary exploring escape from cycles of violence and the challenges of seeking change.

‘The Phoenix of Gaza’  — documentary showing life in Gaza’s cultural landscape through a returning filmmaker’s lens, with Q&A.

‘I Am Cuba’ — international film screening with discussion on resistance and oppression.

Theatre:

‘Incarcerating Eve’ — a performance by the Mandala Theatre Company reimagining the figure of Eve as ‘everywoman’ representing women across time and cultures who have been accused, suppressed, silenced and are now rising with power and resilience.