There are various ways of classifying human rights by categories or dimensions. However, one of the best known is that which groups them into first-generation rights, second-generation rights and third-generation rights.
The three generations of human rights
The classification of human rights into three generations was proposed by Karel Vasak, a Czechoslovakian international civil servant, professor and academic and former director of UNESCO’s Division of Human Rights and Peace, in 1979.
The origins of this theory are associated with the ideals of the French Revolution (liberty, equality and fraternity) and correspond to the historical evolution of human rights. The legal recognition of human rights has been somewhat gradual.
Thus, according to Vasak and other researchers and experts who followed him, human rights could be classified as follows:
First-generation rights.
They were the first to be legally recognized, at the end of the 18th century. They are civil and political rights, such as freedom of expression, the right to a fair trial, the right to life and personal liberty. They focus on limiting the action of power and guaranteeing the participation of citizens in political life.
Second-generation rights
These were incorporated into legislation in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These are economic, social and cultural rights, such as the right to education, the right to health, the right to work and the right to an adequate standard of living. They focus on ensuring decent living conditions for all.
Third-generation rights
They have been included in the laws at the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century. These rights are related to justice, peace, solidarity and other global issues, which transcend national borders and require international cooperation for their protection and promotion. Their purpose is to promote peaceful and constructive relations.
It is important to note that the classification of human rights into generations is not a rigid division. Depending on the individual, the terminology used and the way they are grouped may differ. In any case, it is useful to understand that there are different categories of human rights according to the values they uphold and their main functions.
What are third-generation rights?
This concept has been used mainly to refer to those rights that are considered emerging or developing. They are also called solidarity rights.
They arise in response to the new challenges facing the international community as a result of globalization (poverty, hunger, health, etc.) and the need for collaboration among nations.
Although there is no consensus on which rights should be considered third-generation rights, some of those usually included in this category are:
- Right to a healthy environment: refers to the right of all people to live in a clean and safe environment, in addition to the measures that must be taken to protect and preserve the environment for future generations.
- Right to sustainable development: implies the right of all individuals to participate in the economic and social development of their country, as well as to enjoy the benefits of economic progress.
- Right to peace: relates to the right of people to live in a world free of conflict and violence, and to act to promote peace and prevent war.
- Right to self-determination of peoples: refers to the right of ethnic and national groups to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural destiny.
- Right to the protection of personal data: this is linked to the right of all individuals to control the use of their personal information by others in order to prevent its illicit trafficking and the possible violation of their dignity.
- Right to the common heritage of mankind: this refers to the right of everyone to freely participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to enjoy the benefits resulting from scientific progress.