A string of events will be hosted to mark Human Rights Day across South Africa. Government, civil society groups and non-government organisations will debate the progress the country has made to improve human rights and also highlight the challenges remaining.
Human Rights Day was officially proclaimed a public holiday after Nelson Mandela was elected as South Africa’s first democratic President.
The day is linked with the events of the 21st of March 1960 – Sharpeville massacre. On that day 69 people died and 180 were wounded when police fired on a peaceful crowd that had gathered in protest against the Pass laws.
