HUMAN RIGHTS DAY: KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!

The national human rights day is celebrated on the 10^th of December. This date was chosen to honor and show respect to the United Nations general assembly.This day is an addition to one of the public holidays in South Africa.

Human rights day is celebrated on the 21^st 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 21^st 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 21^st 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]