Human rights are rights that everyone should have simply because they are humans, but
human rights are also a product of historical and social situations. In 1948, the United
Nations defined 30 articles of human rights in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The United Nations succeeded the League of Nations, and the Universal Declaration is one
of its crucial platforms. It founds universal human rights on the basis of freedom, justice, and
peace. South Africa supports the Universal Declaration, and we have included many of its
precepts in our own Bill of Rights, Chapter 2 of the Constitution of the Republic of South
Africa, 1996. The articles of our Constitution can only be changed by a two-thirds majority
in Parliament, which means it is difficult for anyone, including the government, to take away
the basic rights of a citizen.
Just as the Constitution is our supreme law, and no laws may be passed that go against it,
the Bill of Rights is the cornerstone of democracy in South Africa. The Bill of Rights also
comprehensively addresses South Africa’s history of colonialism, slavery and apartheid. 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.
Human Rights Day, 21 March
Human Rights Day in South Africa is 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 to protest against the Pass laws. It was more than a protest
against the Pass Laws of the apartheid regime. It was an affirmation by common people,
rising in unison to proclaim their rights, and it became an iconic date in our country’s
troubled history.
Apartheid policies
In 1948 the Nationalist Party came to power in South Africa and began to formalise
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. It was a criminal offence to be unable
to produce a Reference Book when required to do so by the police, and Black men in
particular had to carry identification with them at all times.
In 1956 women of all races protested against Pass law requirements, when 20 000 women of
all races marched to Pretoria.
Anti-Pass law campaign
The Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) proposed an anti-Pass campaign to begin on 21 March
1960. Black men were to gather at Sharpeville without their reference books and present
themselves for arrest. The order was given to disperse, after which the Police opened fire
with sharp-point ammunition on the crowd of men, women and children. Following the
Sharpeville massacre, a number of black political movements were banned by the Nationalist
government, and the resistance movement went underground.
Modern era
When African National Congress was democratically elected to government, with Nelson
Mandela as its leader, 21st
included in the list of national holidays of democratic South Africa. On Human Rights Day,
South Africans are asked to reflect on their rights and how to protect themselves against
violations.
Human Rights Day reminds us of the suffering and loss of life that accompanied the most
recent struggle for human rights in South Africa, but it also highlights the slavery of the
Colonial era. It is why we must also ensure that modern forms of slavery such as human
trafficking and forced labour are addressed and eradicated.
What are your rights?
In terms of the Bill of Rights everyone has a right to life, equality and human dignity.
March was instituted as the South Africa Human Rights Day and
- 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 of 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 administration action.
- They have rights when arrested, detained and accused, and must have access to courts.
- Protected rights include a healthy environment; housing, health care, food, water and social security.
- 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 unions and 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.
Parliament’s Role in Human Rights Day
Parliament is guided by the values and principles of the Constitution. Parliament’s annual
theme for 2011, which embraces these values, is “Celebrating the legacy of freedom through
strengthening the link between Parliament and the People”. The tasks of Parliament are to
empower the people and get civil society involved in the activities its processes, representing
and acting as a voice of the people, as well as fulfilling its Constitutional functions of passing
laws and overseeing executive action. Parliament must ensure that democratic processes
become well-known and that they reach all citizens of the country.
Visiting Parliament
We are proud to invite local and international visitors to our Parliament, the receptacle and
guardian of the legacy of human rights in South Africa. The Public Education Office offers
free tours of Parliament, as well as an opportunity for the public to observe debates from
the galleries in the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces. Visitors can also
arrange meetings with a Member of Parliament and attend Public Hearings or Committee
meetings.
For more information contact the Public Education Office of Parliament.
Contact Person: Nhlanhla Mrwerwe
Telephone: (021) 403 2266
Fax: (021) 403 3817 / 403 3303
E-mail: nmrwerwe@parliament.gov.za
Source: https://www.parliament.gov.za/live/content.php?Item_ID=1481
