Human Rights Month is commemorated in March to remind South Africans about the sacrifices that accompanied the struggle for the attainment of democracy in South Africa.
The democratic government declared 21 March Human Rights Day to commemorate and honour those who fought for our liberation and the rights we enjoy today.
‘The theme for this year’s Human Rights Month is, ‘The Year of Unity and Renewal: Protecting and Preserving our Human Rights Gains’.
The commemoration of Human Rights Day and this year’s theme seeks to reinforce the commitment to the Bill of Rights as enshrined in the Constitution.
These rights include:
Equality – everyone is equal before the law and has the right to equal protection and benefit of the law.
Human dignity – everyone has inherent dignity and have their dignity respected and protected.
Freedom of movement and residence – everyone has a right to freedom of movement and to reside anywhere in the country.
Language and culture – everyone has the right to use the language and to participate in the cultural life of their choice.
Life – everyone has the right to life.
The government has also called on all South Africans to use Human Rights Month to foster greater social cohesion, nation-building and a shared national identity.
“It is our duty as a nation to strive for inclusive socio-economic development while ensuring that we combat scourges such as racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and all related intolerances as well as gender-based violence and femicide, which are undermining our human rights culture.”
South Africans are urged to use the day to remember and honour those who fought in the struggle for freedom and democracy. The commemorations will also be used to assess the progress of the nation’s constitutional democratic project.
North West Province to host 2022 Human Rights Day celebrations:
