THIRD GENERATION RIGHTS: WHAT ARE THEY AND IMPORTANCE - ARTE - 2025

The third generation rights, also known as solidarity rights are those which are based on peace, environment and progress. They were born in the twentieth century, after the Second World War, and responded to the human needs arising from this tragic event.

Human rights have been evolving. It should be noted that the most innovative changes have occurred after events with world weight, such as the French Revolution and the Industrial Revolution. The most relevant characteristic of third generation rights is to seek to meet the needs of people in the face of new technologies.

Thus, the right to computer freedom and privacy stand out among a variety of very important issues. However, the rights described are very heterogeneous, since they cover environmental issues, seeking to maintain people's health.

Other health issues are discussed, such as the right to a dignified death and the right to abortion; the latter as a vindication of feminist groups. Likewise, the technological development of the countries takes a very important place in the list of rights, which continues to change over time.

What are they?

With the establishment of Human Rights by the UN, new rights emerged in the world that were mandatory for all states. Over time, they acquired the name of third-generation rights.

They were based on peace in society, as well as individual and planetary well-being. Many of these were enshrined in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which carries universal weight.

However, over the years it became clear that many rights were not specified in it. It became necessary to specify, clarify and update them.

In the 1980s, the first claims were made about caring for the environment. In earlier times, that subject had not been treated with such interest.

From that date, a reformist movement began to take shape in the area of ​​rights. Reproductive rights, equality between sexual orientations, self-determination and development took center stage.

How are rights classified by generation?

There are different ways of classifying human rights. The best known is for generations, which originated after great changes in the history of mankind.

The first generation of rights was after the French Revolution. The second, on the other hand, was produced by the consequences of the Industrial Revolution and the impact generated by the new labor rights.

Third-generation rights had their origins in the 20th century, after World War II. In large part, this war was the cause of its creation.

Third-generation rights are also called peoples' rights, as well as solidarity rights. They have a collective character, as they are aimed at ethnic, labor and social groups, among others.

In general, they are aimed at people understood in a context. These include heterogeneous rights, among which the right to peace and quality of life stand out.

Which are?

In the course of time, pro-rights movements have been imposed that have generated changes in the laws of the countries.

The new rights, which are in line with global concerns, have been consolidated in different places: these are the third generation. Some of these rights are:

Right to sustainable development

This right supposes the creation of economic models and structures that create their own benefits for each person. In turn, they must allow access to basic and sustainable services for planet Earth.

Right to self-determination of peoples

It refers to the right that countries have to autonomously determine their political status and their socioeconomic model.

Right to peace

In addition to assuming the absence of war, this right must guarantee processes that encourage participation, dialogue, cooperation, and improvement in times of conflict.

Right to the common heritage of humanity

It refers to the goods that represent a special and significant legacy to understand the history of humanity. These can be material or immaterial.

Right to a healthy environment

This right is closely linked to people's health and to seek to guarantee their health by caring for the environment, keeping them clean.

Rights in the field of information and communication technologies ICT

ICT represents a great advance for humanity. It could be said that they represent a revolution in communication. The Internet has given way to a long new series of rights that contribute to a strengthening of the participation of societies in the development of the world.

However, it also carries risks, as individual and social life is in danger. Every item within the vast network of the Internet contains pieces of personal information.

All this entails the risk of a universal control of private life. The rights advocate the protection of information and private identity.

Among the other rights on the list, this one stands out for being the most up-to-date and constantly changing, as technology evolves day by day.

Other rights

The long list also includes the right to a dignified death, to the enjoyment of the historical and cultural heritage of humanity, the right of developing peoples, to a sex change, free and free abortion, and freedom of information.

Importance

Third generation human rights imply greater participation by governments in order to be respected and fulfilled.

Unlike first-generation rights, these require positive participation. A society is organized and only asks that they limit themselves to respecting them.

The importance of third generation rights lies in the fact that they vindicate human rights by presenting novel and polarized issues. Among these issues are the right to peace, consumer rights, respect for genetic manipulation, the right to quality of life and freedom of information.

The set of rights that make up this generation are considered complements of the first two generations. These were referred to individual freedoms and socio-economic and cultural rights.

The rights and freedoms of the third generation are mainly aimed at solving the problems brought by new technologies. These have greatly modified the relationships between men and nature.

References

1. Alston, P. (1982). A Third Generation of Solidarity Rights: Progressive Development or Obfuscation of International Human Rights Law? Netherlands International Law Review, 29 (3), 307-322. Recovered from cambridge.org
2. Donnelly, J. (2007). The Relative University of Human Rights. Human Rights Quarterly 29 (2), 281-306. Johns Hopkins University Press. Recovered from muse.jhu.edu
3. Galvis, C. (2007). The historical construction of Human Rights. Latin American Journal of Bioethics, 8 (13), 54-65. Recovered from redalyc.org
4. Rodríguez, J. (2006). Human rights and the environment. Dikaion, 20 (15), 71-88. Recovered from redalyc.org
5. Saito, N. (1996). Beyond Civil Rights: Considering "Third Generation" International Human Rights Law in the United States. The University of Miami Inter-American Law Review, 28 (2), 387-412. Recovered from jstor.org