HUMAN RIGHTS MONTH 2023
Join us as we commemorate Human Rights Month throughout the month of March.
• Human Rights Month is an opportunity to remember and honour those who made it possible for us to achieve freedom and democracy.
• This includes the courageous men and women who marched in Sharpeville and Langa on 21 March 1960 for the total abolition of the pass laws.
• The Sharpeville massacre and Langa march exposed the brutality of apartheid for the whole world to see and united our people’s unyielding resolve for freedom.
• It forced the international community to put pressure on the apartheid government to change its oppressive and inhumane policies.
• During this period, we should also reflect on the strides we have made to ensure that human rights becomes a reality for everyone.
South Africa is committed to human rights for all.
• Even though the main event will be held on 21 March, government uses the month of March to promote respect for basic human rights and restoring human dignity in line with the Bill of Rights.
• The Bill of Rights ensures that everyone is equal before the law and has the right to equal protection.
• It ensures everyone has a right to freedom of movement, to use their language, participate in cultural life and to reside wherever they choose.
• Socio-economic rights such water, education; social development and healthcare are included in the Bill of Rights.
• We must also promote human rights and build a united, non-sexist, non-racial and democratic South Africa.
The Constitution anchors our vision to improve the lives of people.
• The Constitution was designed to create an environment for all South Africans to work together to address the legacy of our divided past.
• It is truly one of the country’s greatest national achievements and everything government does is guided by the Constitution and its vision of the society we are building.
• It protects the rights of all people living in the country, South Africans and foreigners alike.
• It explains our obligations as citizens in building the country as envisioned in the National Development Plan.
• It ensures that everyone, no matter his or her status is equal before the law and further ensures that all have the right to equal protection and benefit of the law.
• As we commemorate Human Rights Month, let us also redouble our efforts to create a just and fair place for everyone especially women.
• Such a society requires all of us to play our part and ensure that we do not tolerate the culture of violence against women and girls in our communities.
We must continue to break down the barriers, which divide us – Leaving No One Behind
• Together we must build a South Africa that is tolerant and we all have a responsibility to fight racism whenever it rears its ugly head.
• Racism is not only a threat to our democracy but it is a barrier towards transforming our country as envisaged in our Constitution.
• Racism weakens the fabric of our society and erodes the trust and the optimism on which economic growth depends.
• We call on all sectors of society to collaborate with government and Chapter 9 institutions in implementing anti-racism and anti-discrimination educational campaigns.
• The National Action Plan provides the basis to raise awareness of anti-racism, equality and anti-discrimination issues among public officials, civil society and the public.
• Let us join the conversation in our places of worship, in our schools, our communities and among our friends to create the building blocks of social cohesion and common understanding
