Why do we have human rights?

The 21st of March is coming up and for most people is just another relaxing public holiday.

To me it’s a very important holiday. It’s our wedding anniversary and this year my husband and I will be celebrating nine years of married life together.

But this public holiday is also Human Rights Day, so what does it actually mean?

According to the Parliament of South Africa’s website, human rights are rights that everyone should have, simply because they are human. In 1948, the United Nations defined 30 articles of human rights in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It established universal human rights on the basis of humanity, freedom, justice and peace.

So where does the public holiday part come it?

Human Rights Day in South Africa is historically linked with 21 March 1960, and the events of Sharpeville. On that day 69 people died and 180 were wounded when police fired on a peaceful crowd that had gathered in protest against the Pass laws. This day marked an affirmation by ordinary people, rising in unison to proclaim their rights. It became an iconic date in our country’s history that today we commemorate as Human Rights Day as a reminder of our rights and the cost paid for our treasured human rights.

Whichever way you chose to celebrate this day, also try to remember who died for it.

Happy Human Rights Day Krugersdorp, and to my husband, happy anniversary my love!