Three generations of human rights

The division of human rights into three generations was initially proposed in 1979 by the Czech jurist Karel Vasak at the International Institute of Human Rights in Strasbourg. He used the term at least as early as November 1977.^[1] Vasak's theories have primarily taken root in European law.

In a speech two years later, his divisions follow the three watchwords of the French Revolution: Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.^[2] The three generations are reflected in some of the rubrics of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.^{[citation needed]} While the Universal Declaration of Human Rights lists first- and second-generation rights, the document itself does not specifically order them in accordance with Vasak's framework.

^ Vašák, Karel. "A 30-year struggle; the sustained efforts to give force of law to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights". UNESDOC. Retrieved 2021-09-20.
^ Etudes et essais sur le droit international humanitaire et sur les principes de la Croix-Rouge en l'honneur de Jean Pictet, red. by Christophe Swinarski, Comité Internat. de la Croix-Rouge ; Nijhoff, 1984