The tripartite typology consists of three types of human rights obligations:

  • The obligation to respect requires the State to refrain from interfering with the enjoyment of the right. For example, the State must respect the liberty of parents to choose schools for their children.
  • The obligation to protect requires the State to prevent others from interfering with the enjoyment of the right usually through regulation and legal guarantees. For example, the State must ensure that third parties, including parents, do not prevent girls from going to school.
  • The obligation to fulfil requires the State to adopt legislative, administrative, budgetary, judicial, and other appropriate measures towards the full realisation of the right to education. For example, the State must take positive measures to ensure that education is culturally appropriate for minorities and indigenous peoples, and of good quality for all.

For further information on the tripartite typology see Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1999) General Comment 13: The right to education (Article 13): Para.46-48 & 50.