Karel Vasak was a Czechoslovakian international official and university professor.

Karel Vasak went to France to study law and remained there after the Soviet invasion in 1968. He acquired French nationality and worked for the Council of Europe in various capacities before becoming the first Sectetary-General of the International Institute of Human Rights in Strasbourg (1969-1980). He served as Director of the Division of Human Rights and Peace and later as Legal Advisor of UNESCO and the International Organization of Tourism .