Human Rights Day in South Africa is marked globally as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
“We are calling on South Africans to mark this day through activities that raise awareness around racism. We want people to rededicate themselves to the fight against this specific human rights violation,” said the foundation’s director, Neeshan Balton.
Balton stated that while South Africans may celebrate the triumph over apartheid on the day, we should not forget that racism is still prevalent in our society.
“Political freedom and dignity was won through the defeat of apartheid and was entrenched through the adoption of the Constitution,” said Balton.
“However, we cannot be hypocritical and celebrate our human rights record when schools are still racially divided, when issues of race keep cropping up in universities and the workplace, when some people still believe that apartheid was not a crime and when many see nothing wrong with hurling racial insults, specifically via online platforms.”
Speaking about the prevalence of racism in South Africa, Balton said according to recent studies by the Gauteng City Region Observatory and the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation, as well as media reports, there has certainly been a resurgence of racism and inter-racial mistrust in communities.
Noting the urgency to tackle racism at all levels, Balton indicated that he is encouraged by the government’s commitment to later this year finalise its draft of South Africa’s National Action Plan against Racial Discrimination.
“We believe that this will set out a plan of national scope to address racism, with clarification of the role that all sectors in society can play – both governmental and non-governmental.”
“Whatever you have planned for Human Rights Day, even if it is a family gathering, use the occasion to recommit to the ideal of non-racialism. Raise the alarm when you see or experience racism,” encouraged Balton.
