21 March Human Rights Day

#Leave NoOneBehind – walk for your rights.

Human Rights Day in South Africa is historically linked with 21 March 1960, and the events of Sharpeville and Kwa Langa. On that day, 69 people died and 180 were wounded when police fired on a peaceful crowd that had gathered in protest against Apartheid’s Pass laws. It became an iconic date in our country’s history that we commemorate today as Human Rights Day, reminding us of the price paid for our treasured human rights. 

In 1948, the United Nations defined 30 articles of human rights in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It established universal human rights based on humanity, freedom, justice, and peace. When South Africa held its first democratic election, with Nelson Mandela elected as its first democratic President, Human Rights Day was officially proclaimed a public holiday.

The theme for Human Rights Month is: #LeaveNoOneBehind – walk for your rights.