Ladysmith KZN: Celebrate your rights on Human Rights Day today
Human Rights Day was officially declared a public holiday in 1994, following the inauguration of former president Nelson Mandela, and it has been celebrated ever since
Today (March 21) is Human Rights Day. It holds special meaning, as it is historically linked with March 21, 1960, and the events known as the Sharpeville Massacre.
On this day, 69 people died and 180 were wounded when police fired on a peaceful crowd that had gathered in protest against the Pass laws.
Human Rights Day was officially declared a public holiday in 1994, following the inauguration of former president Nelson Mandela, and it has been celebrated ever since.
This day marked an affirmation by ordinary people, rising in unison to proclaim their rights, and showed how important even basic rights are.
It became an iconic date in our country’s history and in these modern times, we commemorate Human Rights Day to remind us of our rights and the sacrifices made for them.
So what are human rights? Human rights are rights that everyone should have for the simple reason that they are human.
The Bill of Rights preserved in our Constitution is the cornerstone of our democracy. The Constitution, as our supreme law, means that no laws may be passed that go against it.
The Bill of Rights also comprehensively addresses South Africa’s history of oppression, colonialism, slavery, racism and sexism, and other forms of human violations.
The Bill of Rights embeds the rights of all people in our country in an enduring affirmation of the democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom.
Our human rights are important and we should celebrate having them; not take them for granted. It’s time to know your rights and respect those of others this Human Rights Day and beyond.
