Why Celebrate Human Rights?


Published 11 July 2016

Human Rights Day is a national day that is commemorated annually on 21 March to remind South Africans about the sacrifices that accompanied the struggle for the attainment of democracy in South Africa.

The remembrance allows us to reflect on progress made in the promotion and protection of human rights.

Why Human Rights Day?

The 1960s were characterised by systematic defiance and protest against apartheid across South Africa. On 21 March 1960, the community of Sharpeville and Langa townships, embarked on a protest march against pass laws. 69 of the protesters were shot and killed in Sharpeville, many of them shot while fleeing. Many other people who were marching were killed in other parts of the country. The tragedy came to be known as the Sharpeville Massacre and it exposed the apartheid government’s deliberate violation of human rights to the world.

The democratic government declared March 21 as Human Rights Day to remember and honour those who fought for our liberation and the rights we enjoy today. Our Constitution is hailed as one of the most progressive in the world. The Constitution is the ultimate protector of our Human Rights, which were previously denied to the majority of our people under Apartheid. We commemorate Human Rights Day to reinforce our commitment to the Bill of Rights as enshrined in our Constitution.

These rights include:

  • Equality – everyone is equal before the law and has the right to equal protection and benefit of the law.
  • Human dignity – everyone has inherent dignity and have their dignity respected and protected.
  • Freedom of movement and residence – everyone has a right to freedom of movement and to reside anywhere in the country.
  • Language and culture – everyone has the right to use the language and to participate in the cultural life of their choice.
  • Life - everyone has the right to life.

Works Cited
http://www.gov.za/human-rights-day-2015