What is the difference between first-generation, second-generation, and third-generation human rights? Give examples for each.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

First-generation human rights deal with individual rights that were established by such documents as the Declaration of Independence (1776), the French Declaration of the Rights of Man (1789), and the U.S. Constitution’s Bill of Rights (1791). These documents emphasize political and civil rights and include the rights to freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, the right to due process of law, and the right to own property. The second-generation human rights came about because of oppressive conditions caused by the practice of capitalism. Capitalists employed many people but often didn’t pay them enough to lift them out of poverty. Also, these capitalists often didn’t provide basic services to their employees. The second-generation human rights, therefore, emphasize societal rights, such as rights to shelter, employment, education, and health care. Third-generation human rights developed because of the events of the Holocaust during World War II. Shocked by the Holocaust, many people realized that unpopular and minority groups needed to be protected often from the governments of their countries. As a result, third-generation human rights seeks to protect unpopular or minority groups from the oppression of the majority in society. Third-generation human rights also protect women and children from various abuses and minority groups from genocide.