Human Rights History: From Origins to Modern Declarations
Origins and Development of Human Rights
Throughout history, humans have fought for a decent life and the recognition of their rights. Even in ancient times, while practices like slavery existed, thinkers like the ancient Greeks recognized the profound injustice it represented. Rebellions often arose to defend the idea of a society of equals.
The modern era saw a more explicit defense of human rights. At the end of the 18th century, major revolutions sought to end the oppressive systems of the Old Regime. The French Revolution and the American Revolution were pivotal, explicitly articulating these rights in documents like the Virginia Declaration of Rights (1776) and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (1789).
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
Since then, the defense of human rights has expanded through ongoing struggles, often facing resistance from parts of society that considered them unnecessary. Tenacity and belief in this just cause have enabled subsequent generations to strive for and enjoy a more dignified and secure life.
The devastating wars of the 20th century convinced humanity of the need to prevent evils that threaten the human condition itself. Therefore, an agreement was established, defining Human Rights as fundamental requirements common to all people. This aimed to guarantee human dignity by preventing degradation and humiliation, leading to the creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) on December 10, 1948.
The UDHR emerged in the aftermath of World War II. The conviction that humanity’s destructive capacity could threaten life on Earth, coupled with the shame over wartime atrocities, created a certainty that such events must never be repeated.
The declaration was drafted by a commission including individuals from diverse political backgrounds and faiths.
It was approved by a majority of the member states of the newly formed United Nations (UN).
The UDHR is a milestone because, for the first time, representatives of diverse peoples agreed on shared values and requirements considered universal. Furthermore, it aimed for these values and principles not merely to be ideals, but rights actively defended and protected by positive law.
Three Generations of Human Rights
Awareness of rights has evolved throughout history, shaped by social, political, and cultural circumstances. Human rights are therefore historical.
Human rights are often categorized into three generations:
- First-generation rights: Arising as a response to the abuses of absolutist regimes starting in the 17th century, these rights emphasize individual liberty against state power, protecting private autonomy and the right to participate in public affairs. This generation includes fundamental civil, legal, and political rights.
- Second-generation rights: Emerging from the struggles of the working classes in the 19th century, these rights assert that dignity and freedom require minimum material conditions for a humane life. They are based on the value of equality. This group includes economic, social, and cultural rights.
- Third-generation rights: While not explicitly listed in the original UDHR, these reflect the evolving needs of contemporary societies and new rights demands. They address problems that often transcend national borders and require international cooperation, such as environmental protection or the right to peace. These rights are based on the value of solidarity.
Further Human Rights Developments
The international community recognized the need to further define and implement the rights in the UDHR, leading to additional documents and treaties, including:
- International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR, 1966)
- International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR, 1966)
- Declaration of the Rights of the Child (1959)
- Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (1960)
- Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (1967)