Human Rights Day presents an opportunity for all South Africans to reflect on the country’s painful and  unjust past, which segregated and demeaned people purely based on the colour of their skins. In addition, to reflect on the significance of transition from apartheid to the democratic dispensation. It provides an opportunity to remind the country of the Constitution and the significance of the Bill of Rights which amongst others protects all, and extends rights to everyone, and that this instrument is one we all should all jealously defend, through our words and deeds.

It is through the guarding of the rights of our fellow compatriots that we uphold Human Rights in the country and protect our fundamental freedoms from erosion.

As an institution established in terms of Chapter Nine of the Constitution, the SAHRC has an important role to protect, promote and monitor the attainment as well as the observance of human rights in the country.  Thus, the present day headlines the rights that give all within South Africa inherent equality, freedom and dignity.

The theme for this Human Rights Day is: “Consolidating and sustaining a human rights culture into the future”. It is a befitting for everyone to participate in activities, such as the Social Harmony National Effort, to embed a human rights culture in the country. While there are many and pressing challenges in our country including widespread socio-economic pressures which continue to deepen inequalities, we should reflect that human rights should be preserved at all times, and that it is most important to uphold human rights equally  during times of strife, as well as ease. This is how we defend our hard-won rights.

This year’s Human Rights Day comes at a time when the country continues to battle several human rights challenges, which include amongst others: climate change related disasters; a power crises, gender-based violence; high levels of unemployment which exacerbates poverty; rampant corruption; lack of service delivery, racial tensions; violence and crime, especially against women and children; discrimination against persons with disabilities and sporadic attacks on non-nationals.
As South Africa commemorates this day, the Commission calls on all South Africans to hold fast to their fundamental freedoms in all that we do, and at all times to be reflective that together acting with dignity and respect, we will get through these challenges, and emerge a nation proud of its human rights culture and importantly united in our diversity.

Ends
Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission
Wisani Baloyi – Acting Communications Coordinator Tel: 081 016 8308 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Alucia Sekgathume – External Communications Tel: 082 689 2364 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.