Changing Paradigms of Human Rights

Changing Paradigms of Human Rights

Human Rights Day is an initiative which gathers worldwide support for human rights and encourages people to speak up for the protection and promotion of universal human rights principles. It is also an opportunity for individuals and organisations to promote awareness and understanding of issues including dignity, privacy, freedom from poverty, education, gender equality, freedom from violence and torture.

The UDHR is a milestone document that proclaims the inalienable rights which everyone is entitled to as a human being - regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or another opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or another status. In its remembrance also lies the recognition of the fundamental contribution of the UDHR, the codification of the inalienability and universality of human rights.

However, the idea and concept of human rights are still not fully realised, especially in many of the developing countries. Also, the Covid-19 crisis has deepened poverty, raised inequalities & structural discrimination and other gaps in human rights protection.

The Evolution of Human Rights

Civil And Political Rights (First Generation Rights)

The Evolution of Human Rights introduces the first generation of rights, civil and political rights. It also shows how human rights developed over time as different cultures became more open-minded about what a person needs to live a happy life.

The two central ideas were those of personal liberty, and of protecting the individual against violations by the state. Civil and political rights today are set out in detail in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Social, Economic And Cultural Rights (Second Generation Rights)

Social, Economic, and Cultural Rights (Second Generation Rights) address how human rights are evolving to reflect new ways of thinking about equality and freedom.

The second-generation rights have grown out of the fight for basic political freedoms, and more recently include economic and social rights like education, health care, shelter, work opportunities, adequate nutrition, and access to water supplies.

They became increasingly a subject of international recognition with the effects of early industrialisation and the rise of a working-class.

These led to new demands and new ideas about the meaning of a life of dignity.

Social, economic and cultural rights are outlined in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).

Third Generation Rights: Solidarity Rights

The Evolution of Human Rights video has carefully documented the changing nature and scope of human rights law as it has evolved from the first generation rights (life, freedom, bodily integrity) to the second generation rights (women's rights, poverty eradication, environmental protection) to the third generation rights (solidarity rights).

What is the Need: Covid-19 pandemic has led to the consequence of a deeper understanding of the different types of obstacles that may stand in the way of realising the first and second-generation rights.

What are Solidarity Rights: The idea at the basis of the third generation of rights is that of solidarity, and the rights embrace collective rights of society or peoples.