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Human rights day is
celebrated on the 21st of March in South Africa. The bill of rights
in South Africa is found in a section of the constitution book. So the bill of
rights is basically the route that leads South Africa to democracy. The South African Human Rights Commission
(SAHRC) was launched on the 21st of March 1996 as a means to
remember the events that took place in Sharpeville, when police men shot
demonstrators 35 years ago.
On human rights day
people gather at Sharpeville station to commemorate the tragedy that occurred
that day. 69 people were killed and 180 wounded. Today Human rights day is
known as Sharpeville day.
The South African
human rights commission aims to promote respect for human rights as well as to
develop and assess human rights in South Africa. Human rights are basic rights
that people have because they exist. These rights include freedom, justice and
peace.
The 21st
of March can be seen as an ironic day in South African apartheid history. This
is for embracing human dignity, equality and freedom. I advise my follow South
African sisters and brothers to reflect on their rights this will help them
protect themselves against any violations. Although this day has a connection
of apartheid and slavery, it educates the mass about the importance of the bill
of rights.
SOURCES
Boddy-Evans, A.2013.
South Africa’s national holidays: A look at the significance of South Africa’s
seven national holidays. [Web: http://africanhistory.about.com/od/apartheid/a/SAHolidays.htm] [Date of access: 21 February 2012]
