Evolution of Human Rights

Human Rights Definition

Categories of Human Rights
Importance of Human Rights
Three Generations of Human Rights
Types of Human Rights
Evolution of Human Rights
Characteristics of Human Rights
Evolution of Human Rights in India

Evolution of Human Rights

Throughout history, the idea of human rights has been an evolving force, gradually taking shape
and gaining momentum to become a cornerstone of modern societies. From ancient civilizations
to the Enlightenment era’s profound philosophies, the journey of human rights has been marked
by milestones that have shaped the way we view individual liberties, dignity, and equality. Read
this article to learn about it in detail.

Human Rights Definition

Human rights are fundamental entitlements and protections that belong to every person,
regardless of their gender, age, or nationality, simply because they are human beings. These
rights are considered inherent, meaning they are not granted by any government or authority but
are part of our basic humanity. The concept of human rights is rooted in the idea of human
dignity, recognizing the inherent worth and value of every individual.

These rights encompass a wide range of principles and freedoms that aim to ensure individuals
can live with dignity, security, and the ability to make choices about their lives. They are derived
from the understanding that every person is born free and equal in dignity and rights and
possesses reason and conscience, which should guide their interactions with others in a spirit of
brotherhood.
Human rights are not limited to a specific group or country but are universal and apply to all
people worldwide. They are the foundation for a just and fair society and serve as a safeguard
against discrimination, oppression, and abuse.

Read about: UN Human Rights Council

Categories of Human Rights

Human rights can be categorized into different types:

Civil and Political Rights: These include the right to life, freedom of speech, freedom of religion,
and the right to a fair trial. They protect individuals from government interference in their
personal and political affairs.
Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights: These encompass rights related to basic needs such as the
right to education, the right to work, the right to health, and the right to a standard of living that
ensures well-being.
Collective or Group Rights: Some rights are specific to particular groups, such as the right to
self-determination for indigenous peoples or the right to participate in cultural, religious, or
linguistic communities.
Human rights are enshrined in various international documents, with the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations in 1948 being a cornerstone. These rights are
protected by both international and domestic laws and are monitored and enforced by
governments, international organizations, and human rights advocates to ensure that individuals
are treated with respect and dignity.

Importance of Human Rights

Human rights matter for several crucial reasons:

Basic Needs and Dignity

Human rights are crucial because they make sure that every person can have basic things like
food, clean water, a place to live, clothes, and medicine. These rights protect a person’s dignity,
ensuring they are treated with respect.

Protection for Vulnerable Groups

Human rights also help safeguard vulnerable groups in society. They were created after the
terrible events of World War II, like the Holocaust, where not only Jewish people but also those
with disabilities and the LGBT community were targeted. Human rights organizations focus on
protecting those who are most likely to be mistreated or discriminated against.

Standing Up Against Corruption

These rights give people the power to speak out when they see abuse or corruption happening.
This is important because no society is perfect, and human rights tell people that they deserve to
be treated with dignity by society, whether it’s the government or their workplace. When this
dignity is denied, people can use their human rights to stand up for themselves.

Freedom of Speech
Another essential aspect is the freedom to express our thoughts without being afraid of getting in
trouble. It’s not just about speaking out but also about allowing people to have different ideas and
opinions without fearing punishment. This freedom protects individuals who want to discuss or
argue about various ideas within society.

Religious and Spiritual Freedom

Human rights recognize how important a person’s religion or spiritual beliefs are. They ensure
that people can practice their religion peacefully. At the same time, they also give the freedom to
choose not to follow any religion if that’s what someone believes.

Freedom to Love
The right to choose who to love is extremely important. It means that people can decide their
romantic relationships without being forced into something they don’t want. In countries where
these rights are not protected, people, especially from the LGBT community, may face
oppression and abuse.

Equal Work Opportunities

Human rights make sure that everyone has a fair chance to work and make a living. They prevent
unfair treatment or discrimination in the workplace, promoting equality among all workers.

Access to Education
Education is a crucial part of life, and human rights ensure that everyone, not just a select few,
has access to schooling, books, and other learning materials. This helps break the cycle of
poverty and creates a fairer society.

Environmental Protection
Human rights are also connected to protecting the environment. Clean air, water, and soil are
considered essential rights because they directly affect people’s well-being. If these rights are not
respected, it can harm human lives.

Three Generations of Human Rights

First-Generation Human Rights (Blue Rights)
These are like the foundation of human rights. They include things like the right to say what you
think (freedom of expression), the right to vote, and the right to a fair trial. Imagine them as the
“blue” rights, the fundamental ones that set the stage for other rights.

Second-Generation Human Rights (Red Rights)

These are about the things that make life better for people. Think of having a good education,
access to healthcare when you’re sick, and the opportunity to work and earn a living. These are
like the “red” rights, which add color to people’s lives and well-being.

Third-Generation Human Rights (Green Rights)

These are like the rights that protect not just individuals, but everyone together and our planet.
They include the right to a clean environment, the right to development for all, and the right to
live in peace. These are often called “green” rights because they’re about preserving our world
for future generations.

Read about: National Human Rights Commission

Types of Human Rights

Human rights are of different types and can be categorized into the following categories. These
categories of human rights are not mutually exclusive, and many rights overlap. Human rights
are interdependent and indivisible, meaning that the enjoyment of one right often depends on the
fulfilment of other rights. Additionally, the concept of human rights is dynamic, and new rights
may emerge as society’s understanding of human dignity and justice evolves over time.

Legal Rights: Legal rights are those rights that are recognized and protected by law. They are
enforceable through the legal system. For example, the right to a fair trial and the right to
property are legal rights.
Moral Rights: Moral rights are based on principles of fairness and justice and may not always be
legally enforceable. These rights are rooted in ethical and moral beliefs about what is right and
wrong. For example, the right to be treated with dignity and respect is a moral right.
Civil Rights: Civil rights are the fundamental rights and freedoms that protect individuals from
government interference in their personal and political affairs. They include the right to life,
freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to a fair trial.
Political Rights: Political rights pertain to the ability of individuals to participate in the political
processes of their country. These rights include the right to vote, the right to run for public office,
and the right to freedom of political association.
Social Rights: Social rights are related to the well-being and social security of individuals. They
encompass rights such as the right to education, the right to work, and the right to health care.
Social rights aim to ensure that individuals have access to essential social services.
Economic Rights: Economic rights are rights that relate to economic well-being and financial
security. They include the right to work, the right to fair wages, and the right to own property.
Economic rights aim to protect individuals from economic exploitation.
Cultural Rights: Cultural rights are rights that protect an individual’s cultural identity and
heritage. They include the right to participate in cultural, religious, or linguistic communities and
the right to preserve one’s cultural heritage.
Group Rights: Group rights, also known as collective rights, pertain to the rights of specific
groups of people, such as indigenous peoples, minorities, or communities. These rights may
include the right to self-determination, the right to cultural autonomy, and the right to participate
in decision-making that affects the group.
Solidarity Rights: Solidarity rights focus on the collective well-being of society as a whole.
These rights include the right to development, the right to peace, the right to a clean
environment, and the right to one’s own natural resources. Solidarity rights emphasize the
interconnectedness of all members of society.
Evolution of Human Rights
The concept of “rights” and “duties” has ancient roots, dating back to the emergence of human
societies and the formation of states. As humans are inherently social beings, the issue of rights
and their associated duties naturally arose in the context of individuals’ interactions within a
society and their relationship with the governing authority. Over time, norms of social behaviour
developed, eventually crystallizing into what we now recognize as human rights.

These early notions of rights can be traced back to various historical and cultural contexts, such
as ancient Greek and Roman political systems in Europe, the confucian system in China, the
Islamic political system in the Muslim world, and the “Panchayat” system in India. However, it’s
important to note that the concept of rights in these systems was not fully developed in the way
we understand it today.

Significant Historical Events and Revolutions

Several significant historical events and revolutions played pivotal roles in the development of
human rights:
British Constitutional Documents: The Magna Carta (1215), the Petition of Rights (1628), and
the Bill of Rights (1689) in England were early charters that placed restrictions on the powers of
the monarchy, paving the way for the rule of law.
American Declaration of Independence: The American Declaration of Independence in 1776
introduced ideas of human rights, stating that “all men are created equal” and have “unalienable
rights” to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
French Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen: The French Declaration of the Rights of
Man and Citizen in 1789 recognized numerous rights, including equality, freedom of thought,
religion, and property rights.
Bolshevik Revolution: The Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 introduced socio-economic
dimensions to human rights, emphasizing positive rights related to economic and social well-
being, in addition to civil and political rights.
League of Nations: The League of Nations was established after World War I and was mandated
to supervise the enforcement of minorities’ rights treaties, addressing issues related to the
protection of minority populations.
International Labor Organization (ILO): Founded in 1919 and later becoming a specialized
agency of the United Nations, the ILO established international labour standards related to
workers’ rights, fair employment practices, and social security.
Abolition of Slavery: International treaties emerged in the 19th century aimed at the abolition of
slavery, condemning the practice and promoting freedom.
Humanitarian Intervention (HI): The doctrine of humanitarian intervention emerged, recognizing
the lawful use of force by states to prevent the mistreatment of a nation’s own citizens, especially
in cases of severe brutality.
International Humanitarian Law (IHL): International humanitarian law, with treaties dating back
to the 19th century, regulates the conduct of armed conflict, protecting the rights of wounded
soldiers, prisoners of war, and civilian populations.
The United Nations, established in 1945, played a pivotal role in the evolution of human rights.
The UN Charter emphasized the importance of human rights, and the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights (UDHR), adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 10, 1948, marked a
significant milestone. The UDHR outlined a comprehensive set of human rights, encompassing
both civil and political rights and economic, social, and cultural rights.

Since then, the UN has continued to develop international conventions, treaties, and declarations
on human rights, addressing a wide range of issues and promoting the universality of human
rights. These efforts have contributed to the ongoing evolution of human rights norms and
standards on a global scale.

Characteristics of Human Rights

Human rights possess several key characteristics that distinguish them from other forms of rights
or privileges. These characteristics help define the nature and significance of human rights:

Universal and Inherent: Human rights are like moral guidelines that apply to everyone just
because they are human beings. You don’t have to earn them, buy them, or inherit them; they are
automatically yours simply by being a human. They are tied to the idea of human dignity,
meaning that every person deserves to be treated with respect and fairness.
Non-Discrimination: These rights are for every person, regardless of their race, colour, sex,
language, religion, political beliefs, national or social background, property, or any other status.
In other words, human rights are for all and should not discriminate against anyone.
Culturally Neutral: Human rights don’t favour one culture, ideology, or part of the world over
another. They are designed to be fair and applicable everywhere, whether you’re in the East or
West, North or South, developed or developing country, and regardless of your religious or
cultural background.
Comprehensive: Human rights cover a wide range of areas in life. They include things like the
right to free speech and the right to live without discrimination, as well as economic rights like
the right to work and social rights like the right to education. These rights are continually
evolving and expanding as societies change and develop.
Indivisible and Interrelated: Human rights aren’t separate from each other. They are all
connected and equally important. You can’t have one without the others. For example, the right
to education is linked to the right to work, as having a job allows you to access education. No
right is more important than another; they all work together.
Limitations: While human rights are essential, they are not absolute. In some situations, like
during a war or a public emergency, some rights might be limited or restricted to protect things
like national security, public order, or public health. However, these limitations must be
reasonable and justifiable and should not violate the rights and freedoms of others.
Evolution of Human Rights in India
The evolution of human rights in India can be traced back to ancient times, but it was not until
the British colonial era that the concept of human rights began to take on its modern form. The
British introduced a number of laws and regulations that were designed to protect the rights of
their subjects, including the Indian Penal Code (1860) and the Criminal Procedure Code (1898).
However, these laws were often discriminatory and did not apply to all Indians equally.

During the Indian independence movement, human rights became a central issue. The leaders of
the movement, such as Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, argued that human rights were
essential for a free and democratic India.

After independence in 1947, the Indian government adopted the Constitution of India, which
enshrined a number of fundamental rights for all citizens. These rights included the right to life,
liberty, and equality; the right to freedom of speech and expression; and the right to freedom of
religion.

Since independence, India has made significant progress in promoting and protecting human
rights. However, there are still many challenges that need to be addressed. Human rights abuses
continue to be committed in many parts of the country, and many people are still denied their
basic human rights.

Here are some of the key milestones in the evolution of human rights in India:

1860: The Indian Penal Code is enacted, which codifies the criminal laws of India.
1898: The Criminal Procedure Code is enacted, which lays down the procedures for the
investigation and trial of crimes.
1919: The Government of India Act was passed, which introduced some limited reforms to the
colonial system of government.
1935: The Government of India Act is passed, which grants a greater degree of autonomy to the
provinces and introduces a system of responsible government.
1947: India gains independence from the British Empire.
1950: The Constitution of India is adopted, which enshrines a number of fundamental rights for
all citizens.
1993: The Protection of Human Rights Act is enacted, which establishes a National Human
Rights Commission to investigate and inquire into allegations of human rights violations.
The evolution of human rights in India is an ongoing process. As society changes and develops,
new human rights challenges emerge. It is important to continue to fight for the promotion and
protection of human rights for all people.