Classification of human rights

(i) First Generation of Human Rights:

The first generation is the 'oldest' of all universal Human Rights. The Civil and Political
rights are related to the first generation. The rights listed in the group of personal rights are;
the right to personal immunity (freedom illegal arrests), the right to private life protection, the
freedom of speech, and freedom religion etc. The political ones are right to suffrage and to be
elected, right to state administration etc. These rights are developed since the time of Greek
City states. The nature of Civil and Political rights may be different but they are inter-related
and interpole, this reason lead to the formulation of one Covenant covering both these rights
and i.e. International Covenant on Civil and Political rights.(1966). These rights of first
generation are derived from the 17th and 18th century reformist theories which are associated
with the English, American and French Revolution.

(ii) Second Generation of Human Rights:

The rights of the second generation are the social and economic rights and freedom of the
Individual (along with cultural ones). These rights are considered to be originated from the
Russian Revolution of 1917 Rights included in this category are right to adequate food,
clothing, housing and adequate standard of living and freedom from hunger, right to work,
right to social security, right to physical and mental health and right to education. All these
are based on social quality. The right to work, freedom of choice of work, rest and leisure,
sufficient salary level, the right to social assistance, professional and other social and
economic rights become requirement of economic manifestations. The preamble of the
International Covenant says, "The ideal free human beings enjoying freedom from fear and
want can only be achieved if conditions are created whereby everyone may enjoy his
economic, social and cultural rights, as well as his civil and political rights.

(iii) Third Generation of Human Rights:

According to Louis. B Sohn, "individuals are also members of such units, groups or
communities as a family, religious community, social club, trade union, professional
association etc. International law not only recognises inalienable rights of individuals, but
also recognises certain collective right exercised jointly by individuals. The 3rd generation
includes rights of minorities, the rights of nations, the right to development, the right to
peace, etc. The United Nations commission of Human Rights has asserted in 1976 that,
"everyone has the right to live in condition of international peace and civil security and fully
to enjoy economic, social and cultural rights and civil and political rights.