Three Generations of Human Rights

In the study of Human rights, The French Revolution (1979) is regarded as the foundation for
the three generations of rights. The slogans like “Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity” set the
foundation stone for rights and freedom that form the core basis of human rights. These three
slogans make a significant contribution to the advancement of human rights. The division of
Human Rights into three generations of rights was proposed in 1979 by Karel Vasak, a Czech
Jurist at the International Institute of Human Rights in Strasbourg. His division follows the
three important slogans of the French Revolution Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity which set
the foundation for the division of three generations of human rights.
In the study of Human rights, The French Revolution (1979) is regarded as the foundation for
the three generations of rights. The slogans like “Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity” set the
foundation stone for rights and freedom that form the core basis of human rights. These three
slogans make a significant contribution to the advancement of human rights. The division of
Human Rights into three generations of rights was proposed in 1979 by Karel Vasak, a Czech
Jurist at the International Institute of Human Rights in Strasbourg. His division follows the
three important slogans of the French Revolution Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity which set
the foundation for the division of three generations of human rights.
Human rights were not manufactured, out of the historical vacuum, they had evolved over
generations. In the study of Human rights, The French Revolution (1979) is regarded as the
foundation for the three generations of rights. The slogans like “Liberty, Equality, and
Fraternity” set the foundation stone for rights and freedom that form the core basis of human
rights. These three slogans make a significant contribution to the advancement of human
rights. The division of Human Rights into three generations of rights was proposed in 1979 by
Karel Vasak, a Czech Jurist at the International Institute of Human Rights in Strasbourg. His
division follows the three important slogans of the French Revolution Liberty, Equality, and
Fraternity which set the foundation for the division of three generations of human rights.

The First Generation: Civil and Political Rights

The social revolutions of 17th and 18th century created the awareness of the civil and
political rights such as the right to freedom of speech and expression, right to vote and
contest elections, freedom of religion, freedom from discrimination etc. The English revolution
of 1688 which recognized the supremacy of parliament, the French declaration of rights of
man and citizen of 1789, the American bill of rights of 1791 are some noteworthy examples
that shaped the first generation of human rights. The first generation human rights are
influenced by the ideas that government is representative the government is the result of a
social contact and general will of the people. Civil and political rights are today detailed in the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966 and the European Convention for
the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. (ECHR) .The first generation
human rights are sometimes called ‘Negative rights’. Negative rights are thus defined as
encroachment of other individual rights and more particularly from the interference of the
state. The first generation of human rights is based on the principle of non-interference.

During the first generation, the understanding of human rights expanded to the
idea of 'freedom' and include freedom from discrimination, freedom from slavery, freedom
from torture and other inhuman forms of punishment, and freedom from arbitrary arrest, etc.

The Second Generation: Social, Economic and Cultural Rights

Post Second World War, the struggle for economic, social, and cultural rights
started to gain greater prominence rights. The French Revolution slogan 'Liberty, Equality'
symbolizes all types of economic, social, and cultural development of the rights.
The Second generation human rights are the social, economic and the cultural rights such as
the right to work, education and cultural participation. Firstly, unlike the civil and political
rights, these rights are shaped by a radically different context, which is the advent of
industrialization and the growth of capitalism. As pointed out by Marxist literature so vividly,
rapid industrialization creates not only the class stratification but also consolidates the
emerging income inequalities. The sharper the inequalities and injustices in the society, the
more violent is the growing discontentment from the people. People resort to a strike or a
revolution to realise their ends and expectations. Secondly, the second generation rights are
also the positive rights because furtherance of these rights is made possible only through the
intervention of the state. For instance, the right to work applies only if the state is providing
work to the workers in the first place. Therefore, some kind of affirmative action such as
ensuring healthcare and education is needed on the part of the state.

Third Generation of Rights

The post-1945 phase is also called the third generation of human rights that focuses
not on the individual but the broad spectrum of rights such as social groups and
societies. The third generation of rights was composed of solidarity rights as it fought
for collective rights. The third part of the French Revolution slogan ‘Fraternity' reflects
the third generation of rights.
Third Generation of Rights
The post-1945 phase is also called the third generation of human rights that focuses not on
the individual but the broad spectrum of rights such as social groups and societies. The third
generation of rights was composed of solidarity rights as it fought for collective rights. The
third part of the French Revolution slogan ‘Fraternity' reflects the third generation of rights.
The third generation of rights is, on the whole, the demand of the third world countries or the
developing countries from the developed world to share equitable resources and development.
The third generation of rights is marked by the post-second world war which was marked
by the period of decolonization and national liberation movements.
The third generation of rights is marked by the post-second world war which was marked by
the period of decolonization and national liberation movements. The third generation of rights
got linked with the movement for collective rights such as self-determination which addresses
the community of groups rather than individual rights. The third generation of rights core
interest is on the environment and sustainable development. It has a broader approach
such as the, Right to Self Determination, Right to Peace, right to Natural Resources,the Right
to Development, and Environment.