Sixty-four years ago, a group of unhappy Johannesburg citizens tired of the indiscriminate laws imposed on them marched to the Sharpeville police station to burn their pass books in protest. The government reacted by sending the police force killing and wounding 250 protesters, the day that started out as a peaceful march against Apartheid laws turned into the most tragic human massacres. This day on the 21st of March is commemorated as Human Rights Day.
Human rights are the fundamental freedoms and protections to which all individuals are entitled, regardless of race, nationality, and gender. These rights are enshrined in the constitution and in documents like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
South Africa is often hailed as a global champion of human rights. Many individuals contributed to the struggle for human rights in the past and present. Nelson Mandela was one of those many individuals that was an advocate of human rights in South Africa and internationally. His commitment to human rights was rooted in his belief in equality and justice for everyone. Together different political parties negotiated for a democratic South Africa during the Codesa (Convention of a Democratic South Africa). Today South Africa has one of the most inclusive and progressive constitutions in the world.
In the aftermath of Apartheid, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was established to address the atrocities committed during Apartheid and to promote reconciliation and peace which was chaired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu. This process demonstrated that justice and forgiveness are not mutually exclusive. These methods were all geared towards restoring the rights of activists that died during Apartheid and closure for their families, setting a global precedent for post-conflict reconciliation. The model was subsequently duplicated by other countries.
South Africa has signed and ratified seven of the nine core international human rights treaties. This includes the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights. The charter guarantees certain rights and freedoms for individuals and peoples. South Africa actively promotes human rights globally and our foreign policy often emphasizes solidarity with marginalized nations demonstrated by the legal action initiated against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) under the Genocide Convention.
Despite legal frameworks we still grapple with deep seated issues, like someone once said “You can't eat the constitution “. Inequality and poverty persist, disproportionately affecting black South Africans, exacerbated by unemployment. Gender-based violence is at alarming rates. Crime and basic rights like access to clean water. These challenges are not new and will not be resolved soon, especially with a new government that is still finding its feet. Given our past and our resilience these obstacles that is still finding its feet. Given our past and our resilience these obstacles are not insurmountable with the support of civil organisations , non-profit organisations and institutions like the judiciary.
South Africa’s human rights journey is a testament of the power of reconciliation and legal innovation. Its achievements inspire global movements, but we also have ongoing struggles, and we are reminded that the pursuit of justice is continuous. As Nelson Mandela once said,” To be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.