GEORGE NEWS - Amid the build-up to South Africa's sixth democratic election, the country today celebrates Human Rights Day, commemorating those who have died for freedom and democracy and reflecting on the progress made in the promotion and protection of human rights.
Human Rights Day in South Africa is historically linked with the Sharpeville massacre on 21 March 1960, when police opened fire on unarmed people who protested against apartheid pass laws, killing 69 people and wounding 180.
After the 1994 election this day was declared Human Rights Day.
This year, the country commemorates Human Rights Month under the theme: "The Year of Indigenous Languages: Promoting and Deepening a Human Rights Culture."
What are human rights?
There are certain rights that everyone should have simply because they are human. These have been defined in 30 articles in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948. It established universal human rights on the basis of humanity, freedom, justice, and peace.
The South African Bill of Rights includes indivisible human rights as set out in 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.
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