Do you know your human rights, and do you understand why South Africans celebrate Human Rights Day?
According to the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, human rights are rights that everyone should have simply because they are human. Human Rights Day is celebrated on 21 March, a day that is historically linked to 21 March 1960, and the events of Sharpeville.
It come to light that 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 them.
Parliament wishes to educate South Africans about our history, so they wrote an informative piece stating the following:
Apartheid policies
In 1948, the Nationalist Party came to power in South Africa and formalised segregation in a succession of laws that gave the government control over the movement of Black people in urban areas. The Native Laws Amendment Act of 1952 narrowed the definition of Blacks with permanent residence in towns and cities. Legally, no Black person could leave a rural area for an urban one without a permit from the local authorities, and on arrival in an urban area, the person had to obtain a permit within 72 hours to seek work. The Reference Book, or Pass, included a photograph, details of place of origin, employment record, tax payments, and encounters with the police.
In 1956, women from all walks of life protested against the racist Pass Laws, when 20 000 of them marched to the Union Building in Pretoria, singing, “Wathint’ abafazi, wathint’ imbokodo” – “You strike a woman, you strike a rock”.
Modern era
After South Africa held its first democratic election, when Nelson Mandela was elected as its first democratic President, Human Rights Day (21 March) was officially proclaimed a public holiday.
On Human Rights Day, South Africans are asked to reflect on their rights, to protect their rights and the rights of all people from violation, irrespective of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, whether they are foreign nationals or not – human rights apply to everyone, equally.
We must remain vigilant and report abuse and cruelty, such as human trafficking, child labour, forced labour and violence against women, children, and the aged and other vulnerable groupings of people.
What are your rights?
In terms of the Bill of Rights, everyone has a right to life, equality and human dignity.
All persons have a right to citizenship and security. Persons and groups are entitled to freedom of assembly, association, belief and opinion, and expression. They have the right to demonstrate, picket and petition; everyone has the right to be free from forced labour, servitude and slavery.
All persons have a right to privacy and to exercise political rights; all have a right to access to information and just administrative action. They have rights when arrested, detained and accused, and must have access to courts.
All have a right to freedom of movement and residence and of trade, occupation and profession. In the workplace, everyone has a right to engage in trade unionand labour movements. Anyone has the right to purchase property anywhere, and to a basic education.
They have a right to language and culture and communities; and not least, freedom of religion and belief. The Bill of Rights also specifies the rights of persons belonging to cultural, religious or linguistic communities and the rights of children.
In addition, there are specific laws to safeguard women and protect children.
Protected rights include a healthy environment, housing, health care, food, water and social security.
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