“March 21 is the day on which we remember and sing praises to those who perished in the name of democracy and human dignity.” Nelson Mandela
Most public holidays in South Africa have great historical significance as they serve as reminders of the painful history South Africans have as a nation. Human Rights Day is one of those public holidays when South Africans remember those who lost their lives fighting for freedom. This day is more than a public holiday; it is a reminder of the importance of defending human rights and fighting against all forms of oppression.
The history of Human Rights Day centers around the Sharpeville massacre that took place on the 21st of March 1960. On that day, the apartheid police shot and killed 69 people who were part of a nonviolent protest against pass laws. The Sharpeville massacre occurred during the apartheid era which was a racist legal system that denied the rights and freedoms of anyone who was not considered white.
Apartheid laws placed all South Africans into one of four ethnic groups: "white", "black", "coloured" ("mixed race") or "Indian/Asian". These laws restricted almost every aspect of the lives of black South Africans. Some of the most restrictive laws were "pass laws". These laws forced black South Africans to carry an identification document that could be checked by police and other authorities. The government used passes to limit where black South Africans could work, live, and travel. Many people were deprived of their basic rights such as the right to vote and freedom of expression and assembly.
On 21 March, thousands of South Africans went to Sharpeville Police Station. They gathered in a peaceful protest and refused to carry their passes. On that day, hundreds of South Africans took to the streets to protest against pass laws requiring them to carry a document of identification at all times. Failure to produce your passport upon request would have resulted in arrest and detention. What started as a peaceful protest turned deadly when police opened fire, leaving more than 60 people dead and 180 injured. This terrible event, known as the Sharpeville Massacre, revealed to the world the human rights violations committed by the apartheid government.
Human Rights Day is a time to celebrate South Africa's diversity. As South Africans reflect on the significance of Human Rights Day, they remember the sacrifices made by those who came before them who fought for freedom and equality. As the nation continues to look to the future with hope and optimism, they can know that together a society can be built where human rights are upheld and recognized and where all people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their background, race or gender.
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